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JOURNALS 



OF THE 



LIVES, TRAVELS, AND GOSPEL LABOURS 



THOMAS WILSON, 



JA^ES DICKINSON. 



" They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- 
ment ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for 
ever and ever. — Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall 
be increased." — Dan. xii. 3, 4. 

" These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the 
Lamb."— Rev. vii. 14. 



LONDON: 
C. GILPIN, 5, BISHOPSGATE WITHOUT. 



1847. 



LONDON : 
RICHARD BARRETT, PRINTER. 
13, MARK LANE. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



Many of the writings which describe the work 
and warfare of those "good soldiers of Jesus 
Christ/' our faithful forefathers in the Truth, set 
forth in a striking manner, the efficacy and suffi- 
ciency of Divine grace, and continue to be richly 
available " to the use of edifying/' With records 
of this character, the Journals of our ancient, 
honourable Friends, Thomas Wilson and James 
Dickinson, may justly be classed ; for although 
brief, they bear ample evidence that the writers 
were largely endued with the gifts and graces of 
the Holy Spirit, also that they were bright exam- 
ples of faithfulness in the occupancy of the talents 
committed to their trust ; and this evidence is 
confirmed by the Testimonies of their cotemporary 
Friends, which occupy the pages preceding their 
Journals. 

As these Journals have long been out of print, 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



(that of James Dickinson so long, as to be now 
probably but little known among Friends,) it is 
believed that a reprint of them will prove an 
acceptable addition to our publications of this 
kind. 

Thomas Wilson and James Dickinson were 
Ci true yoke-fellows ; v they travelled much together 
in the work of the ministry, and were closely 
united in Gospel fellowship ; and although (as 
might be expected,) both of them have, in several 
instances, recorded the same services, yet there is, 
for the most part, considerable variety in their 
respective narrations. 

In the present volume, the Journals are divided 
into chapters ; — the Testimonies and Epistles con- 
nected with Thomas Wilson's Journal are inserted 
in their proper places, as respects order of time, 
and are, with the Journal, (excepting slight verbal 
alterations,) reprinted from the third and last 
Edition, dated 1784. 

Through the kindness of a Friend in Cumber- 
land, the editor has obtained for inspection, the 
Manuscript Journal of James Dickinson in his 
own hand-writing. On comparing this with the 
edition of 1745, (the only one which has before 
been printed,) it was found to be considerably 
abridged ; and although the omissions seem to 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



have been, on the whole, judiciously made, yet a 
few sentences and short paragraphs from different 
parts of the Manuscript, are now restored, which, 
either as interesting details or instructive remarks, 
appeared too valuable to be lost. Excepting these 
additions and verbal alterations, the present is a 
reprint of the former edition of this Journal. 

With the view of further increasing the interest 
of the volume, short notices of several Friends 
who are mentioned by the writers as having been 
engaged with them in Gospel service, are sub- 
joined in the form of notes. 

Although the present day may not be regarded 
as a bright one in the annals of our religious 
Society, seeing "the love of many" to the testi- 
monies of the unchangeable Truth, " has waxed 
cold yet doubtless, to a goodly number within 
our borders, these testimonies continue to be pre- 
cious. And whilst preparing this little work for 
the press, the editor has cherished the hope, that 
under the Divine blessing, it may produce amongst 
us some increase of concern to be like-minded 
with our faithful ancestors in religious profession — 
a plain, humble, self-denying people, who, having 
"put on Christ," were engaged in his strength, to 
hold up to the world in great purity, the standard 
of truth and righteousness ; and who, to the end 



vi 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



they might themselves, as a gathered church, be- 
come " rooted and built up in Him/' were zealously 
concerned " to keep the unity of the spirit in the 
bond of peace/' 

Thomas Chalk. 

Kingston-on-Thames, 
1847. 



CONTENTS, 



JOURNAL OF THOMAS WILSON. 



PAGE 

Prefatory Address xi 

Testimonies concerning Thomas Wilson xiii 

Chapter I — His Birth, Parentage, early religious Ex- 
ercises, and Convincement — Spiritual benefits con- 
ferred on himself and his fellow- worshippers in their 
silentMeetings — His first appearance in the Ministry 
— Visits to Friends in various parts of England, 



Scotland, Ireland and Wales — Exercises under the 
prospect of a visit to America 1 

Chapter II.— His Voyage to America — .Remarkable de- 
liverance at sea — Travels and Gospel labours in 
America and the West Indies — Sundry Epistles to 
Friends in those parts 19 



Chapter III. — Visits to Oxfordshire and some western 
counties ; to Ireland and Wales — His Marriage and 
Removal to Ireland — Further religious service in 
England and Ireland — His second visit to America 
— Visits to various parts of England and Ireland 
— Epistle to Friends of Mountmelick- — His Illness 
and Death —Copy of a Manuscript 48 



JOURNAL OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



Prefatory Address 

Testimony of Pardshaw Monthly Meeting 
Testimony of John Bell 

Chapter I. — His Birth — Care and Faithfulness of his 
Parents— His Transgressions and Convictions — Re- 
ligious exercises and first appearance in the Ministry 
— Visits to a Presbyterian and Baptist meeting, &c. — 
Travels in various parts of England and Wales ; also 
in Scotland, Ireland and Holland — His first visit to 
America — Remarkable deliverance on the Voyage — 
Travels and Gospel labours in America 93 

Chapter II. — Religious service in various parts of Eng- 
land, Wales and Ireland — His Marriage — A Warning 
proclaimed through many of the streets of London — 
Visit to some northern and eastern counties— Epistle 
to the Yearly Meeting in London — His second visit 
to America — Epistle to Friends in the West Indies... 138 

Chapter III. — Visit to Ireland - Epistle to Friends in 
America — Visits to Scotland and some parts of Eng- 
land — His Sickness — Further religious service in 
England, Scotland and Ireland — His third visit to 
America — Religious engagements in various parts of 
England, Scotland and Ireland — His last Illness and 
Death 177 



PAGE. 

75 

82 
85 



ERRATA. 



Page xxxii, line 1, after " minds," read " turned." 

„ 29, line 8, for " 1 John ii. 11," read " 1 John ii. 19." 

„ 56, line 25, for " was," read " were." 

„ 81, line 14, after " all," read " to his heavenly kingdom," 

„ 101, line 19, for " elebrate," read " celebrate." 

„ 118, line 3, from bottom, for "and," read "having," 

„ 150, line 11, for " love," read " life." 

f „ 183, line 20, for " 1689," read <: 1699." 

„ 214, line 14. for " riches," read " reaches." 



A JOURNAL 



OF THE 

LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LABOURS OF LOVE 

IK 

THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, 

OF THAT 

EMINENT AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF 
JESUS CHRIST, 

THOMAS WILSON, 

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, AT HIS OWN HABITATION, NEAR 
EDENDERRY, IN IRELAND, THE 20TH OF THE THIRD 
MONTH, 1725, AGED ABOUT SEVENTY -ONE YEARS 



TO THE EE AD EE. 



Fbiendly Eeader, 

It seems unnecessary to say much here, more 
than to hint at some particular qualifications, arid 
eminent services of the author, with the end of pub- 
lishing his works ; there being sundry following 
accounts and testimonies of faithful brethren con- 
cerning him, not only of this nation of Ireland,* 
wherein he resided, and travelled much in the work 
of the gospel, but also from Great Britain, which he 
often visited ; and likewise from America, where he 
had been twice. To these accounts, together with 
his journal, thou art referred ; in the serious perusal 
whereof, it may appear he had the gift of an apostle 
of Christ ; approving himself as such in his powerful, 
effectual ministry, and care of the churches ; and in 
much patience, in afflictions, in watchings, fastings, 
hard travels, and perils by sea and land, in the wil- 
derness, and also by false brethren. Following his 
heavenly Captain through many tribulations — preach- 
ing the gospel of the kingdom of God freely, not 
expecting a reward from any mortal man— and 
having on the holy armour, and " weapons not carnal, 
but mighty through God" — he, " as a good soldier of 
J esus Christ," was made valiant and skilful, to war 

* The first edition of this Journal was printed in Dublin. 



xii 



TO THE READER, 



against the prince and power of darkness, profanity, 
and spiritual wickedness in high places, to the 
bringing down strong holds of Satan. He was instru- 
mental in turning many to righteousness, who be- 
came as seals of his ministry : and having overcome 
by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of his 
testimony, I doubt not is now possessing a never- 
fading crown of glory. 

The memory of the just is pronounced blessed, 
Prov. x. 7 : and it has been the practice of the 
righteous, (as examples to posterity) to record memo- 
rials of the works of good men, in the Holy Scrip- 
tures ; which, by the wonderful providence and mercy 
of God, have been preserved through many dark ages 
of the world, and transmitted to us, as a cloud of 
witnesses, to the great comfort of the godly ; the 
serious perusal whereof is earnestly recommended to 
both old and young. 

Tor the like end and purpose is an account of the 
labours, &c, of this, our late worthy Friend, col- 
lected, or gathered up, as fragments that should not 
be lost. And that thou, reader, mayst thereby be 
excited and encouraged in the diligent serving of 
God, according to the measure of grace bestowed on 
thee, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, (with out whom 
we can do nothing,) and so have cause of rejoicing at 
thy latter end, in feeling great peace from the Lord 
flow in thy soul, (as had this our Friend in the even- 
ing of his day,) and obtain a crown of righteousness 
hereafter in the heavenly kingdom, is the sincere 
desire of thy friend, who wisheth salvation to all 
mankind, 

John Stoddart. 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of Friends of Caldbeck Monthly Meeting, in Cum- 
berland, concerning our dear Friend Thomas 
Wilson deceased; who was a Member of the said 
meeting for some time in his young years. 

This worthy man was one, whom it pleased the 
Lord to call out of the broad way and vanities of the 
world, and make acquainted with the way of his 
blessed, unchangeable Truth ; after having known 
many days and nights of lamentation, mourning and 
sorrow for misspent time, [with earnest desires] that 
it might be redeemed, and to be acquainted with his 
Saviour, J esus Christ ; who, in due time, appeared by 
his Spirit, to the opening of his heart, and enlarging 
his understanding in those thmgs relating to the way 
of peace and salvation. As he abode under the 
cross, it pleased the Almighty to make manifest unto 
him, that he was a chosen vessel, or instrument for his 
service, to preach the gospel, and declare unto others, 
what great and good things the Lord had done for 
his soul. Thus being sensible of the Lord's requir- 
ings, he gave up in obedience thereunto ; and being 
largely endued and qualified by the Holy Spirit, he 
became an able minister, and faithful labourer in the 
Lord's vineyard ; sound, powerful, and reaching in 
doctrine, with plainness of speech, (not glossed with 



xiv 



TESTIMONY OF 



human wisdom ;) very zealous and fervent in prayer, 
greatly to the comfort and edification of the church. 
Likewise his godly example in life, conversation, 
great humility and self-denial, much adorned his 
ministry. He travelled often in Truth's service, 
both in visiting the meetings adjacent, and several 
other parts of this nation ; from whence we have had 
very good and comfortable accounts of his service, 
and reception amongst faithful Friends. 

He also travelled in other nations, as Scotland, 
Ireland, and many parts of America ; where divers 
were convinced by him, and joined with Friends in 
the profession of Truth. In process of time he was 
married to a Friend of our said meeting ; and soon 
after removed himself and wife into Ireland, having 
prospect of a suitable settlement there, and the unity 
of Friends therein. And being preserved in faithful- 
ness to the Lord, and zealous for the promotion of 
his Truth, He was pleased abundantly to bless him, 
both spiritually and temporally ; and we understand 
his service to have been great in that nation. Not 
doubting but large accounts thereof may be given 
by Friends there, we refer thereunto for an account 
of the remaining part of his life, labours, travels, and 
services, &c, not intending to be large on this sub- 
ject ; well knowing that all which can be said, will 
add nothing to the happy state of the deceased : but 
that the memory of the just may remain amongst the 
righteous, and his footsteps be as waymarks to suc- 
ceeding generations, is the end of our giving this 
short testimony concerning this our dear and worthy 
Friend. Signed on behalf, and by order of our 



CALDBECK MONTHLY MEETING. 



XV 



Monthly Meeting, held at Wood-Hall, the 20th of 
the Second Month, 1726 :— 



Joseph Peacock, 
Thomas Lamb, 
William Scott, 
John Sowerby, 
Robert Gill, 
Jacob Nicholson, 
John Scott, 



William Greenup, 
John Scott, 
Thomas Scott, 
George Bewley, 
Benjamin Bewley, 
Samuel Peacock. 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of Friends in Ireland, from their National Half- 
Tear's Meeting, held in Dublin, the 8th, 9th, 10th, 
llth, and 12th days of the Third Month, 1726, 
concerning that worthy elder and eminent minister 
in the church of Christ, Thomas Wilson, deceased. 

It hath pleased Almighty God, the Fountain of all 
mercies, from whom every good and perfect gift doth 
come, in the riches of his love, not only to gather 
his church and people, but also to bless and favour 
them with many peculiar blessings ; and particularly 
by raising up, gifting and qualifying many for a 
public ministry, and in the power and demonstration 
of the Holy Spirit, sending them forth to declare the 
way of life and salvation ; whereby they became in- 
strumental to turn many to righteousness, and for 
the building up and settling his church in the most 
holy faith, to their comfort and edification : of the 



Xvi TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND. 



number of which, this our dear deceased friend was 
one, and none of the least. The Lord was pleased 
to send him into this nation to preach the everlasting 
gospel, first in the year 1682. He was several times 
here in the work of the ministry, before he came to 
settle in this nation, which was about the year 1694 : 
and many of us can say, from a sensible knowledge 
we had of his diligent labour and eminent services in 
the work of the gospel, that he was one whom the 
Lord gifted with a large gift in the ministry, and 
made him instrumental for the convincing of many. 

His doctrine was sound, plain, living, powerful and 
reaching, frequently attended with a heavenly sweet- 
ness : and when he had drawings on his spirit to go 
forth in public service, he was careful in waiting to 
know the Lord's acceptable time, in which he freely 
gave up, preferring Truth's service before his own 
worldly concerns ; and when he found his spirit clear 
of the service he was engaged in, he was careful to 
return with what expedition he could. He was often 
divinely opened to declare the mysteries of life and 
salvation, as also to lay open the mysteries of iniquity, 
and to declare against a false ministry ; he was like- 
wise made skilful in dividing the word aright, and to 
feed the flock in due season. 

His ministry was sharp against the rebellious, but 
comfortable and consolating to the mourners in Zion 
and babes in Christ. The Lord richly endued him 
with the spirit of prayer and supplication ; in which 
he was often drawn forth in great tenderness and 
fervency of spirit on behalf of Christ's church and 
people, also for their offspring in a particular manner ; 



TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND. Xvii 

likewise in behalf of kings and rulers, and men in 
authority, with mankind in general. 

He was a good pattern of plainness and humility : 
diligent in attending meetings for the worship of 
Almighty God, and therein to wait for the receiving 
of that heavenly power which first raised him up in 
a living ministry ; and was careful not to minister 
without it : and though he was an able and eminent 
minister, yet chose to give way, rather than stand in 
the way of any who had a word from the Lord to 
speak. He was zealous for the keeping up and main- 
taining the ancient rules and discipline settled in the 
church in the beginning, by our faithful elders, as in- 
struments therein ; advising Friends to a diligent ob- 
servance thereof. 

Much more might be said concerning his great 
services and diligent labours in the work of the 
gospel for many years, both in Great Britain, Ireland 
and America ; which are so well known to many, that 
we need not enlarge thereon. 

And now, though this our dear friend is removed 
from us, which is cause of sorrow, considering the 
church's great loss, yet we believe and doubt not it 
is his everlasting gain. We conclude with fervent 
desires, that the great Lord of the harvest may, for 
his work's sake, be pleased to favour with, and con- 
tinue to his church and people, a living spring of 
the ministry ; and that many may be made willing 
to run his errand, and be serviceable in his hand, as 
was this our worthy Friend ; who departed this life 
the 20th of the Third Month, 1725, aged about 

h 



Xviii TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND. 



seventy-one years, and a minister about forty-five 
years. Signed in behalf of our said meeting, by 



Henry Brookfield, 
William Brookfield, 
Thomas Bewley, 
John Barclay, 
Gregory Russel, 
John Stoddart, 
Edward Barwick, 
John Boles, 
Abel Strettel, 
Solomon Watson, 
Samuel Watson, 
James Pillar, 
Thomas Greer, 
Daniel Bewley, 
Samuel Fuller, 



George Rooke, 
Jacob Fuller, 
Joshua Clibborn, 
Mungo Bewley, 
Joseph Inman, 
Jonathan Robinson, 
Joseph Gill, 
Richard Sealey, 
Thomas Duckett, 
Ralph Stephenson, 
Nicholas Harris, 
Bartholomew Garnett, 
James Hill, 
Toby Courtney, 
John Chrysty. 



POSTSCRIPT. 

A brief abstract out of the Testimonies of Friends of 
the three provinces, viz., Ulster, Leinster, and 
Munster, concerning our said deceased Friend, 
Thomas Wilson. 

from ulster province meeting. 

He was profound in heavenly mysteries, yet plain 
and clear in declaring them ; very skilful and excel- 
lent in distinguishing matters of faith and principle 
to general satisfaction of the people, who often greatly 
nocked to meetings where he came. 

He laboured diligently for the good of souls, yet 
did not run forwardly into service, in the will of man ; 



TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND. xix 

but duly waited for the arising and movings of the 
word of life and wisdom, which was often eminently 
with him, and manifested through him, to the affect- 
ing and tendering of many hearts, and to the glory 
of G-od, the Author and Giver of all good gifts. 

He frequently visited Friends of this province ; 
and the last visit he made to us, was, as much as ever, 
in the openings of divine love, life, and sweetness in 
spirit, to the refreshing and edifying of Friends. 

FROM LEINSTER PROVINCE MEETING. 

His travels and labours of love in the gospel of 
Christ were great, in frequently visiting the meet- 
ings of Friends in this province, and also having 
meetings amongst people, where no Friends' meetings 
are settled ; in which labours, for the spreading of 
Truth, the Lord's power and goodness attended, and 
particularly at national and other meetings in the 
city of Dublin. To these, at times, many sober 
people of sundry persuasions came, to hear the testi- 
mony of Truth declared, who have been much affected 
with tenderness of spirit by his powerful ministry ■ 
and though, at times, he was awfully concerned in 
warning to prepare for a time of great mortality ap- 
proaching, he yet rejoiced, in a sense that the Lord 
would lengthen his merciful visitation, and send 
plentiful showers of the doctrine of his kingdom, 
before his judgments [should] break out upon the 
inhabitants. 

He also declared to this effect, That the Lord 
would send his servants into the,popish countries to 
preach the gospel ; which should prevail and spread 

b 2 



XX TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND. 

in those dark parts of the earth ; though some might 
seal their testimony with their blood. 

He was a nursing father in the church, cherishing 
the good in all ; particularly the young and weak in 
the ministry, male or female, who were gifted and 
called thereunto ; and rejoiced in that the Lord had 
raised up such, both in this nation and elsewhere. 
And though he was an honourable elder, yet very 
humble and condescending, as a servant to all ; 
grave and reserved in deportment ; often bowed under 
exercise of spirit ; yet at seasonable times cheerful, 
sweet, and pleasant in conversation, both with 
Friends and others, whereby he gained the love 
and good esteem of many. And notwithstanding 
he was an able minister of the gospel, he was careful 
not to travel abroad in that service without the unity 
of the brethren ; and when he found himself clear, 
returned speedily to his outward abode ; and was 
diligent in his lawful vocation of husbandry, for the 
good of his family, wherein the Lord blessed his 
endeavours with prosperity and plenty. 

FROM MUNSTER PROVINCE MEETING. 

He was a faithful labourer in the Lord's harvest, 
and travelled much in the service of Truth, being 
willing to spend and be spent for the gospel's sake : 
and the Lord blessed his labour of love, so that many 
thereby were convinced, and became as seals of his 
ministry. 

He was zealously concerned against undue liberty 
and wrong things ; |hat Truth's testimony might be 
kept up, and maintained in the several branches 



TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN VIRGINIA. Xxi 

thereof; that in all things Friends might walk 
agreeably to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, 
keeping in the path of the faithful, without swerving 
to the right hand or to the left ; as being very sen- 
sible, those wholesome rules and precepts, wherewith 
we are favoured, have been given forth in the wisdom 
of Truth. 



AN ABSTRACT OF A TESTIMONY 

Given and sent by Friends of Virginia, concerning 
Thomas Wilson deceased, to which somewhat has 
been added by Joseph Jordan a Friend of that 
place, who was in Dublin in the Twelfth Month, 
1726-7. 

Among the many faithful labourers which the great 
Lord of the heavenly harvest has been pleased to send 
from far, with his word and testimony, to visit his 
people in this colony, our worthy friend Thomas 
Wilson was one eminently serviceable in his minis- 
terial capacity • being made instrumental to convince 
some of the way of Truth, and also to edify and com- 
fort many with the word of the gospel, which is a 
word of peace and consolation ; as was very manifest 
by the preaching of this precious servant of Christ, 
in whom it dwelt richly. 

Some of us knew him in his first visit to Virginia, 
in company of our dear friend and elder, James 
Dickinson, which was in the year 1690, or 1691. 
At that time Friends here were persecuted, and their 
meetings sometimes disturbed by ill-disposed and 



Xxii TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN VIRGINIA. 

ignorant men ; also those who entertained a meeting 
were liable to a fine, which affrighted some weak ? 
though well-minded people. One of them had given 
our said friends liberty to have a meeting in his 
house, but upon the threats of the sheriff was dis- 
couraged, as we understood ; and the meeting was 
held in an orchard, where a person of note received 
the Truth, by the powerful testimony borne by our 
dear friend, Thomas, to the one necessary and saving 
baptism, which is the baptism of Christ, by his Spirit. 
So after the meeting ended, he who had thus joined 
in with the visitation of God through his servant, 
took him and companion home to his house, and 
kindly entertained them, notwithstanding the law, 
which was then severe. 

Much might be said of this first visit of our dear 
friend j but concluding that our friend James 
Dickinson will be more particular and large in his 
testimony thereof, we shall proceed to some account 
of the last visit Thomas gave us, which was in th e 
year 1714 ; when, notwithstanding his advanced age ? 
he was lively and strong in the word of faith, and 
preached it with much power and demonstration, to 
our great comfort and encouragement. 

He sometimes spake prophetically in our meetings 
concerning the prosperity of Truth, part whereof we 
incline to commemorate. After he had put us in 
mind of the many visits we had been favoured with 
by ministers sent from Europe, who had been instru- 
mental to gather and settle meetings in America, he 
told us, The Lord would raise up and qualify many 
amongst ourselves, to declare the word of his salvation, 
which is measurably fulfilled. He also said, That 



TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN VIRGINIA. XX111 



many great men, and many young men, should bow to 
the Truth in our wilderness-country, (or to that effect ;) 
which we humbly hope will be brought about in time, 
and that the church of Christ will increase, and be 
more and more extensive in this part of the world. 
This man of God also assured us, in the word of pro- 
phecy, That way would be made for the spreading of 
Truth in the Pope's dominions ; and that the feet of 
many from Great Britain should be turned that way, 
some of whom should seal their testimonies with their 
blood : — In the declaring of which, and much more, 
(omitted for brevity's sake,) great tenderness ap- 
peared in him, through the virtue and power of »the 
divine anointing, in which his understanding was 
very bright. 

We have cause to magnify the Lord our God for 
sending this his approved minister amongst us, and 
for the many profitable and very memorable oppor- 
tunities we had with him. The account of his de- 
cease affected our minds with sorrow, by reason of the 
church's loss ; especially in Ireland, where he so- 
journed, and where his removal out of this life is 
doubtless lamented by the faithful, who had so often 
and largely been refreshed and edified by his labours 
of love in the gift of the ministry. 

To conclude, we have this testimony to bear touch- 
ing the behaviour and conversation of our said 
friend when with us : That it was the confirmation 
of his doctrine, being the practice of that holy reli- 
gion he taught with great sincerity and success. 
And spending the time of his sojourning on earth in 
fear, he was preserved to ancient years : and now, 
having finished his day and testimony, he rests from 



xxiv TESTIMONY FROM PENNSYLVANIA, &0. 



his labours, and his works follow him. Signed on 
behalf of Friends in Virginia, the 14th of the Fifth 
Month, 1726, by 



Concerning our deceased Friend, Thomas Wilson, 
from the Yearly Meeting held at Burlington, for 
Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, the \§th day of the 
Seventh Month, 1728. 

Our late worthy Friend, Thomas Wilson, twice 
visited America ; the first time was about the year 
1691, and the last, about the year 1713, each time 
accompanied by our esteemed friend, James Dickin- 
son. Both visits were serviceable and acceptable ; 
but the former more particularly so, inasmuch as it 
happened at a juncture when many were staggering 
in their principles, occasioned by the opposition and 
separation made by one George Keith, a man who 
had been of some note amongst Friends, a writer of 
many books, of reputation for learning, and appear- 
ing as a minister. His peevish disposition, pride of 
heart, and wrong spirit, soon appeared to faithful 
Friends, and those he called a party against him ; 
and upon the arrival of Thomas and James, he en- 
deavoured by fawning and soothing ways, to gain 
them, who as strangers and worthy Friends, might 
otherwise be a weight against him : but it was to 
little purpose, for our said deceased friend soon per- 



John Porter, 
Samuel Sebrell, 
Robert Jordan, 



John Small, 

Gerard Robert Ellison, 

Nathan Newby. 



A TESTIMONY 



TESTIMONY FROM PENNSYLVANIA, &C. XXV 

ceived the spirit and design of the man, and the evil 
tendency of that separation ; and stood faithfully in 
his testimony against it, to the re-establishing many, 
and greatly to the comfort of honest-hearted Friends, 
who mourned in those times of trial and desolation. 
Nor was our said friend without a sight of the 
downfall of that perverse spirit, (as the event dis- 
covered,) but at times boldly declared it ; and it soon 
after came to pass. But enough of this, which had 
been improperly mentioned here, could it well have 
been avoided, when we were calling to mind the 
service and labour of love of our late friend, to 
whom we now return. 

His testimony was powerful and persuasive, and a 
lively zeal mixed with love attended it : as he was a 
minister of the Gospel and Truth of our Lord Jesus, 
he was manifestly supported and enabled by him in 
that work ; not soothing or daubing with any. His 
zeal against hypocrisy and immorality was eminent, 
and his encouragement to sobriety, sincerity, and 
holy living, very remarkable. He spared not himself 
in hard travels ; scarcely at any time did he indulge 
himself in so much rest and ease as his body re- 
quired. He was exemplary in life ; abstemious and 
temperate ; cautious of giving just offence to any ; 
not busy beyond his calling ; and, in a word, a 
bright example to those who may follow him in the 
same good work. 

Read, approved, and ordered to be signed on 
behalf of the said meeting, by 

Isaac Norms, 
Clerk of the said meeting. 



THE TESTIMONY 



Of Mary Wilson concerning her dear husband 
deceased. 

Since it hath pleased the Lord to remove from me 
my dear husband by death, it hath often been, and 
still remains, a concern upon my mind to give in a 
testimony concerning him, which is as followeth : — 

Having good cause often to remember the times of 
our being first acquainted one -with another, is now 
some engagement upon me to give some account 
thereof. 

I well remember, when he was come up to the state 
of a man, how he was restless in his mind, and 
earnestly desired the knowledge of the true God ; in 
which time, he went from one place to another, 
among the Church of England people, to hear what 
their priests could tell him of the way of salvation : 
for then his soul was in great want of a Saviour ; 
and great was his hunger after the way of life and 
righteousness. In this tossed condition he continued 
for some time, looking out at, and after, the teachings 
of men ; which proved altogether unprofitable to 
him, to his great trouble. 

In this condition the Lord was pleased, in his 
unspeakable love, to visit his soul with the springing 
in of his light, and inbreaking of his invisible power, 
by which he was much broken into tenderness ; and 
it was then a time of great humiliation and fear : 
in which condition, he came among the despised 
people called Quakers. And although it was then a 
time of great persecution, yet did he sit down with 
them in their meetings, in silence, until such time as 
it pleased the Lord of heaven and earth so to fill his 



TESTIMONY OF MARY WILSON. XXV11 

heart with his powerful word, that he knew the 
burning thereof as a holy flame in his soul : then was 
his mouth first opened in public prayer and thanks- 
giving to the Lord ; and afterwards to declare the 
day of the Lord that was dawned, and to sound the 
everlasting gospel, which was glad tidings to many 
poor, benighted souls. 

And further, I think I may safely say concerning 
him, that when he was sensible that the Lord had 
revealed his Son in him, and that a necessity was 
laid upon him to preach the gospel, he did not con- 
sult with flesh and blood, but gave up unto the 
heavenly vision ; and was willing to spend the flower 
and prime of his days in the service of Truth, which 
he did in many years' travel ; and laboured much in 
the work of the ministry in England, Ireland, and 
America, before he married. 

In the fortieth year of his age, we took each other 
in marriage in Cumberland ; and soon after came into 
Ireland, and settled near Edenderry, he having had, 
for some time before, some remarkable sight of that 
place, which he at times would speak of : and we 
had reason to believe it was our place, for the Lord 
blessed us together, and we had great comfort in that 
it was our lot to settle among such honest, tender- 
hearted Friends, unto whom we were nearly united. 

After we were settled, he was often engaged to 
travel in Truth's service ; and I may say, from a cer- 
tain sense that rests upon my heart, that the more he 
gave up to the work he was called unto, the more we 
were blessed : and although it was pleasant to me to 
have the company of so good a husband, yet it was 
more solid satisfaction to me to give him up to 



XXvili TESTIMONY OF MARY WILSON. 



answer what the Lord might require of him. And I 
may say to the praise of Grod, that I was made a 
sharer with him, in feeling the sweetness of that 
heavenly love and life that his heart was often filled 
with, and which streamed forth to the comfort of 
many ; for he was as a cloud that the Lord often 
filled and caused to be emptied, to the refreshing of 
his heritage. My soul, with many more, hath great 
occasion to bow in deep thankfulness unto the Lord, 
for the many refreshing showers that we have been 
favoured with ; and to give Him the praise thereof, 
who is worthy for ever. 

And further, I have to say concerning my dear 
husband, that he was a loving and kind husband, a 
tender father to his children ; one that was laborious 
in the creation, and provided plentifully for his 
family ; open-hearted to his friends, and beloved in 
the neighbourhood by such as knew him. He often 
looked with a pitiful eye towards the poor of all 
sorts, and did administer unto the wants of many. 
He was one that delighted in justice, and hated 
wrong things : and although the Lord blessed him 
many ways, yet was not his mind lifted up thereby ; 
but he continued unto the end an humble-minded man. 

He was often sorely afflicted in body, yet fre- 
quently travelled to visit Friends in much outward 
pain. In his last journey in England, which [occu- 
pied] about ten months, he endured much bodily 
weakness, which continued upon him to his end ; for 
he went no more abroad, only to our own meeting and 
twice to the Half-year's Meeting in Dublin. And 
though his pain was great at times, yet he went to 
meetings as long as he was able. It was often afflict- 



TESTIMONY OF MARY WILSON. XXIX 

ing unto me to think of being left behind : but 
what shall I say 1 but that the Lord hath done it ; 
he hath given and taken away. That my soul may 
be so preserved, in a living sense of his goodness, as 
that I may praise his name while I live in this frail 
tabernacle of clay, and be fitted for my final change, 
and lay down my head in peace, is what my soul 
most desires. 

And now I can say, that the Lord hath brought 
my mind into quietness and contentment with my 
condition, and with what he hath done ; stedfastly 
believing that he hath removed my dear husband in 
his mercy and favour, and mercifully received his 
soul into his everlasting kingdom : and shall conclude 
this my testimony, with fervent desires in my heart 
unto the Lord God Almighty, that he may, for his 
work's sake, favour his church and people with a 
plentiful spring of a living ministry, and touch the 
tongues of many of our youth with a live coal from 
his holy altar ; that many may be willing to run his 
errand, and be serviceable in his hand, as were many 
of the generation which he hath removed from us. 

Mary Wilson. 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of Thomas Wilson's Children concerning their 

dear deceased father. 
We find ourselves concerned to give this short 
testimony concerning our dear father, whom the 
Lord hath been pleased, by death, to remove from us ; 
having no small share in the loss of him, he being so 



XXX TESTIMONY OF T. AND B. WILSON. 

tender and affectionate a parent to us. We can 
truly say, his concern and care were very great for 
our growth and preservation in the blessed Truth, and 
that we might be preserved out of hurtful things ; 
and also in a particular manner, that as we grew in 
years we might grow in that sense and knowledge of 
the holy Truth, which we are sure was precious to 
him. He was often concerned, in a solid, tender 
frame of spirit, to advise, counsel and instruct us to 
seek inivardly to know the Lord for ourselves, and the 
work of Truth in our oivn hearts, that would lead us 
to walk blameless and in great humility before Him ; 
saying, That was the way to obtain the blessing. And 
as he was thus concerned for our good, so we are 
sensible his fervent desires, prayers, and supplications, 
were secretly to the Lord on our account, that He 
might be pleased to bless and favour us with an in- 
crease of true wisdom and knowledge in the holy 
Truth : and we have good cause to believe, that the 
Lord was graciously pleased (in some degree) to hear 
and answer his requests, in that he hath in tender 
mercy and loving-kindness visited our souls with a 
sense of his divine goodness ; which we fervently 
desire may grow and increase in and amongst us. 

And [we] may further add, that we have great 
reason, with thankful hearts, to bless the Lord on his 
account, who made him so great a blessing to us ; 
and not to us only, but to many more that had a 
sensible knowledge of him, and of his diligent care 
and counsel, that greatly tended to the good of souls. 
This, in the love of God, so prevailed in his heart, 
that he was made willing to spend and be spent in 
that work and service whereunto he was called, 



TESTIMONY OF T. AND B. WILSON. XXxi 

(being a faithful labourer in God's vineyard,) that so 
truth and righteousness might increase on the earth ; 
not accounting any fading and transitory enjoyment 
too near or dear to part with for Christ and the 
gospel's sake. He much delighted to see the youth 
and offspring of Friends grow up in a living, sensible 
concern for the Truth ; and [desired] that elders 
might be good examples and patterns in the church, 
being careful himself to be found of this description. 

We could say much more concerning him, but 
rather choose to be brief; referring to other testi- 
monies given, with respect to his labours, travels and 
services for the Truth : and shall conclude this our 
testimony with sincere desires, that the Lord may so 
favour us, through his infinite goodness and divine 
assistance, that we may thereby be enabled to run 
that blessed race that is set before us, so as to obtain 
the blessing while here, and the crown of eternal life 
that is laid up for the righteous, when time to us in 
this world will be no more. 

Thomas Wilson, 
Benjamin Wilson. 

Thorn-well, the 1st of the 
Third Month, 1727. 



JAMES DICKINSON'S TESTIMONY 

Cmicerning his friend and companion in the work of 
the gospel, Thomas Wilson deceased. 
Being a testimony to the sufficiency of the Lord's 
power, and work thereof, as it is revealed in the 
hearts of the children of men, in this age of the 
world, (as well as in former ages,) unto all who have 



XXxii TESTIMONY OF J. DICKINSON. 

their minds to the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, so 
as to believe and walk therein : these come to have 
fellowship one with another, and know the blood 
of Jesus Christ to cleanse them from unrighteous- 
ness, and are fitted for the service of God ; one of 
whom, was this my dear friend and companion, 
Thomas Wilson. 

The first time I was acquainted with him was in 
the year 1682, when he had the motion of the Lord's 
power upon him to preach the everlasting gospel in 
the nation of Ireland ; he being at our week-day 
meeting at Pardshaw, where his mouth was opened 
in a powerful testimony, to the tendering of many 
hearts ; and the meeting was brought under a deep 
baptism of one spirit into one body, and drank into 
one spirit. After this, he soon took shipping for Ire- 
land ; and I having a concern upon me to go into 
that nation, hastened after him, where we found it 
our place to travel together, as doth appear in his 
journal. The power of the Lord was wonderfully 
with him, and made him as a cloud folded, full of 
rain, carried by the breath of the Almighty to water 
the ground. He had great service while I was with 
him, and several were convinced by him. 

In the year 1683, he visited several counties in the 
north of England, it being a time of great persecu- 
tion j and the Lord's power was wonderfully mani- 
fested for our* help and preservation. Some officers 
came to Kendal, where Thomas was then declaring 
the way of life and salvation, in the mighty power 
of God, so that the testimony of Truth was set over 

* Whilst on this visit, James Dickinson joined him at Kendal. 
See p. 9 and 103. 



TESTIMONY OF J. DICKINSON. 



xxxiii 



all • and though they pulled him out of the door, 
yet had not power to take him away with them, but 
let him return in again 9 and we kept the meeting 
in the authority of the Lord's power, until we found 
freedom to conclude it in a sense of the love of Gtod, 
with thanksgiving unto Him. 

In the year 1684 we travelled together through 
many counties in England, and through Wales ; in 
which journey he had great service, the Lord making 
him as a flame of fire against sin and wickedness ; 
and often as a cloud full of rain, to comfort the 
afflicted. We met with no informer in this journey, 
till we came into South Wales, at Redstone, (as may 
be seen in his journal,) where they endeavoured to 
break up our meeting, and could not ; but, (as we 
heard afterward,) the Friends of that meeting were 
very largely fined, though the distress was prevented 
by means of moderate justices, after the death of 
king Charles the Second. 

i And when the said informer came also to Haver- 
fordwest, with a justiee to assist him, the power of 
the Lord was so eminently with Thomas in his testi- 
mony, that the justice said, ' If these be the Quakers, 
I never heard the like ; let them alone.' In the 
time of this his journey, many were convinced, 
and turned to the Lord's teaching. He also tra- 
velled in the year 1688, through the south and west 
parts of England, wherein the Lord supported him 
by his heavenly power, still adding a blessing to his 
labours. 

In the year 1691, we entered upon our long voyage 
to America, taking shipping at London for Barbadoes ; 

c 



XXxiv TESTIMONY OF J. DICKINSON. 

and the Lord shewed us things to come, it being a time 
of war between France and England. It was shewed 
him, we should meet with the French fleet, (which we 
did,) and it was an exercise to us ; but our cries and 
tears being poured forth to the Lord, he stretched 
out his arm for our help, and wonderfully delivered 
us, by sending a great fog or mist, which blinded the 
eyes of our enemies : they took all the fleet, except 
the ship we were in, and other two. My companion 
had been exercised three days in prayer and fasting, 
that we might be preserved ; and the Lord heard 
his prayers, and restrained the hands of wicked men, 
so that all those on board were made to confess it 
was a miraculous deliverance : and even in the time 
of trial, we felt the Lord's living presence wonderfully 
with us, to the melting of our hearts, and strengthen- 
ing our faith, in the sufficiency of his power, that is 
over all. After which, on a First day of the week, 
the company of the other two ships came aboard the 
ship we were in, and we had a large meeting; wherein 
the everlasting gospel of life and salvation was de- 
clared amongst them ; and they were made to ac- 
knowledge it was the Truth. 

When we came into the latitude of Barbadoes we 
met with another trial, in being chased by a man-of- 
war j but our eye was to the Lord. The company 
concluded to fight, and made preparation for it, 
having their places ordered them where they should 
be ; but the captain, knowing it was matter of con- 
science to us, was civil, and bade us go to the doctor if 
we pleased ; at which the passengers were very angry, 
saying, ' We deserved to be shot to death.' We told 
them, i Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and 



TESTIMONY OF J. DICKINSON. XXXV 

therefore his servants cannot fight.' But seeing the 
captain was so kind as to give us liberty of choosing 
our places, we would be on the quarter-deck with 
him ; which greatly confounded those who were so- 
much against us, and gave us an opportunity to set 
the testimony of Truth over them. It proved to be 
an English man-of-war. 

We landed in Barbadoes the 24th of the Sixth 
Month, where my said companion had great service 
for the Lord ; manyhearts being tendered under his 
testimony, and several convinced. His labours were 
also great in New England, Rhode Island, Long 
Island, East and West Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land, Virginia, Carolina, Antigua, and Nevis, where 
many were convinced by him ; in some of which 
places he passed through many perils by sea and land, 
lodging out in the woods in winter seasons ; and the 
greatest of all was, false brethren ; but the Lord's 
power supported him over all. 

When we were clear of America we took shipping 
at Nevis, the 26th of the Twelfth Month, landed at 
the Highlands of Scotland the 15th of the Second 
Month, 1693, and thence returned into Cumberland ; 
being filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his 
wonderful deliverances. Although we went forth 
weeping, bearing precious seed, we returned rejoic- 
ing, with sheaves in our bosoms. Afterwards we 
travelled together up to London, where we met with 
Friends from most parts of the nation, who were 
glad to see us ; and the Lord's power was still made 
manifest for our help in his service, blessed be his 
holy name for ever ! We being sensible that with- 
out Christ we could do nothing, he wrought all for 



XXXvi TESTIMONY OE J. DICKINSON, 

us and in us, and strengthened our faith in the 
sufficiency of his power : in which faith, this my 
said friend lived, and went through great tribula- 
tion, and I doubt not is entered into rest. Our 
fellowship was great ; and the Lord made us one 
both in tribulation and joy, being bound up together 
in the bond of love. . 

In the year 1713, we took our second voyage 
together for America ; and the Lord made way for 
us, both inwardly and outwardly, and preserved us 
near to himself and one to another ; we having no- 
thing in our eye but the honour of his name and 
good of mankind. And I know there was not any 
thing more delightful to my dear companion than to 
be under the influence of God's Holy Spirit ; where- 
with he was often filled, not only for his own good, 
but the good of others ; he having a dispensation of 
the everlasting gospel committed to him of God, 
which he preached freely ; and it was his care to keep 
it without charge. And though he had a large gift, 
beyond many, yet was glad of the least child who 
spake from the motion of God's Spirit ; he having 
learned to cast down his crown at the feet of the 
Lamb, for whose exaltation he was given up to spend 
and be spent. He had great service in this last visit 
in America ; and was greatly comforted in seeing the 
fruit of his former labours, and those who had been 
convinced by him, walking in the light of the Lord 
J esus Christ. 

I might say much of my own knowledge concern- 
ing his great, faithful and diligent labours in the 
work of the gospel, (of which a small account is 
given in 'his journal ;) yet what I have said, is not to 



TESTIMONY OF GEORGE MARKE. XXXV11 

attribute any thing but to the Lord's power, (which 
wrought effectually in him, and whereof he was a 
faithful witness ;) to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 

James Dickinson. 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of George Maeke concerning our dear Friend 
Thomas Wilson deceased, 

I had some knowledge of him before he was con- 
vinced of the blessed Truth, whereof he afterwards 
became an able minister : in which time of my first 
acquaintance with him he was light and airy in con- 
versation, much given to sporting and jesting ; 
having an inclination thereby to make people laugh 
and be merry, as he then called it. But in a little 
time after, the Lord was pleased to visit him and 
break his rest, giving him a sense of the vanity and 
unprofitable way of living wherein he then seemed 
to have a life : and in a short time a very great 
change was wrought in him ; all his mirth was turned 
into mourning and his laughter into lamentation. 
Then solitary places became his resort : and the 
Lord having in some measure opened his understand- 
ing, he was earnestly concerned to seek for a Saviour, 
and zealous in going constantly to hear the priests 
and some other professors, and would bring a great 
deal of what he had heard home with him, repeating it 
over, as willing to feed a little upon it : which proving 
like husks, no solid food to a seeking, languishing 
soul, he came gradually to be made sensible by the 
glimpse of that gospel light, shining in his own con- 



XXXVui TESTIMONY OF GEORGE MARKE. 



science, that all the performances he could attain to 
in that state, were empty and fruitless, [and would 
bring] no lasting peace unto him. So in a while he 
left hearing the priests, and frequented Friends' 
meetings : and the Lord, in his own time, was pleased 
further to visit him, whereby he was tendered and 
broken ; at times scarcely able to contain himself 
under the great exercise of Spirit that was upon 
him. But the Lord, who had wounded, was pleased, 
in due season, to pour healing oil into his afflicted 
soul, to the comforting and strengthening of his in- 
ward man ; so that he had a few words sometimes in 
the meeting. His appearance therein was in great 
dread and fear, and his words piercing, being at- 
tended with a divine authority; and several were con- 
vinced by him in the early time of his ministry. 
One instance I may relate j he was concerned in 
testimony at the burial of a Friend that belonged to 
our meeting at Mosedale : the burying-place being 
near my house, four of my servants, (not of our 
persuasion,) who were at work a little distance off, 
hearing the sound of his voice, left their work, and 
drew near to him ; and they were so reached by his 
testimony, that, to the best of my remembrance, 
they never went any more to hear a priest, but were 
all convinced and came amongst Friends. 

He was one whom the Lord was pleased to bring 
through the furnace of affliction, and make a chosen 
vessel for his use and service. Being soon called to 
travel abroad in the work of the ministry, his out- 
ward settlement, or place of abode, was little more 
amongst us • but this I may say, (I believe with 
many more,) that when it pleased the Lord to cast his 



TESTIMONY OF T. PRIESTMAN. 



xxxix 



lot amongst us, we partook of his service which the 
Lord concerned him in, with great satisfaction, com- 
fort, and confirmation in the blessed Truth. 

So shall conclude with my firm persuasion con- 
cerning him, that he was one of the valiants of Israel, 
who hath done his day's work carefully, and is entered 
into that rest prepared of the Father for the faith- 
ful ; and though he is removed, yet his memory will 
live amongst us. George Marke. 

Mosedale, in Cumberland, the 2%th 
of the Third Month, 1726. 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of Thomas Priestman concerning his dear Friend 
Thomas Wilson deceased. 
That the Lord our God, who is the Father of 
mercies, hath in this day, as in former ages, visited 
a people, with the day-spring from on high, is 
signally manifested and experienced ; and that he 
fails not to answer the desire and breathings of that 
soul which feels its want of him, and seeks him in 
sincerity, (however bewildered at times, not knowing 
where to find him whom it seeks after,) is evident, 
by his gracious visitation of this our dear friend 
Thomas Wilson ; who, I believe, did sincerely seek 
after the knowledge of the Truth, that he might not 
be deceived. And though his exercise of spirit was 
great, with strong cries and groans that could not be 
uttered in words, yet the Lord, who has said, " Call 
upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear and 
deliver thee," answered the desire of his long mourn- 
ful and distressed soul. 



xl TESTIMONY OF T. PRIESTMAN. 

I remember one time at a meeting at Woodhall, a 
Friend there warned the people, and said, it was a 
day of visitation to some in that place ; and Thomas 
Wilson was wonderfully broken in spirit, in a 
lamentable manner, (as at some other times,) until it 
pleased the Lord to reveal his Son in him, and give 
him an understanding of what he should do ; which, 
for a season, he was unwilling to give up unto. But 
the Lord's power prevailed, and made him willing to 
deny himself, and obey the Lord, in declaring the 
word of life, as required, and which often sprang 
through him, to the refreshing and comforting of the 
church of Christ, and convincement of several : also 
many who had travelled and been afflicted in spirit 
with him, that he might be preserved and brought 
through to the praise of God, were made glad ; he often 
having a word in season from the Lord, to speak in 
great love and tenderness to tribulated souls ; re- 
membering he had been afflicted, and not comforted 
for a time. 

Much in truth might be said on the behalf of this 
our friend and brother, of whom I had many times 
a feeling sense while amongst us ; but need not make 
any apology for him, whose works and labours of 
love for God and his people, declare aloud for him, 
whereby " he being dead, yet speaketh." He is fresh in 
the remembrance of many of us ; also the dealings 
of God with him, who raised him from a low degree, 
and made him an able minister of the gospel, to turn 
people to the knowledge and obedience of the Truth 
in themselves. Thomas Priestman. 

Dearudding, the 20th of the 
Second Month, 1726. 



AN ACCOUNT 

OP THE 

LIFE AND TRAVELS 

OF 

THOMAS WILSON. 



CHAPTER I. 

His Birth, Parentage, early religious Exercises and Convince- 
ment — Spiritual benefits conferred on himself and his fellow- 
worshippers in their silent Meetings — His first appearance in 
the Ministry — Visits to Friends in various parts of England, 
Scotland, Ireland and Wales — Exercises under the prospect of a 
visit to America. 

I was born in Soulby, in the parish of Daker 
and county of Cumberland. My parents' names 
were Edward and Ann Wilson, who brought me up 
in the profession of the church of England, and 
taught me the catechism, having been sprinkled or 
baptized in my infancy, according to the manner of 
that church. While I was a youth I had great hun- 
gerings and thirstings in my heart after righteousness, 
and the true knowledge of the living God and of his 

B 



LIFE AND TEAVELS 



Son Jesus Christ ; in which time I went with great 
diligence to hear the priests, and when with them, 
did carefully mind what was spoken : and when I 
heard of a priest that was noted for a good man, and 
preached two sermons in one day, I went from our 
own parish after the forenoon sermon, eight miles on 
foot to hear an afternoon sermon. And the more I 
sought to hear, my inward hunger and thirst the 
more increased, so that I was sensible of great poverty 
of spirit : and in the time of singing psalms, a 
thoughtfulness came into my heart, that men should 
he made holy before they could rightly sing to the 
praise and glory of God ; and my mouth was stopped 
from singing with them, through a godly sorrow that 
was in my heart, with secret cries and humble prayers 
to the living Lord God of heaven and earth, for the 
knowledge of the way of salvation. But being yet 
in the wilderness of men's doctrines, creeds, articles, 
and outward forms, I could not find true peace in 
conscience, nor see any bright beams of salvation. 
In this state I travelled in great godly sorrow, having 
religious seekings in my heart ; and being weary of 
the heavy load of sin, as also the doctrines and 
worship of men's making, my mind was much inclined 
to dispute about religion with all sorts of professors 
that I met with, yet still could not meet with or find 
inward peace of conscience : but many texts of Holy 
Scripture were opened to my understanding, so that 
I began to see what was not of faith was sin, even in 
points of worship and pretended service to the great 
God ; remembering the saying of our blessed Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ to the scribes and pharisees 
formerly, " Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy 
of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me 
with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips ; 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



3 



but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do 
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments 
of men." — Mat. xv. 7— 9. 

Thus being made sensible, that too many of the 
doctrines of the church wherein I was educated, were 
precepts of men's making, and [remembering] that our 
blessed Lord and heavenly Saviour had said to the 
woman of Samaria at J acob's well, " The hour cometh, 
and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship 
the Father in spirit and in Truth ; for the Father 
seeketh such to worship him : God is a Spirit, and 
they that worship him, must worship him in spirit 
and in Truth." — John iv. 23, 24 ; this worship, in the 
renewings of the Holy Ghost, and not in the oldness 
of the letter, I greatly longed to know, but could not 
find it, neither could any priest I conversed with, tell 
me how or where to find it. But after long travail 
of spirit and great concern of soul, the Lord was 
graciously pleased to make me sensible, that what 
was to be known of God was manifested in man. 

About this time I went into an evening meeting of 
the people called Quakers, with strong desires in my 
mind to the Lord, that if it was the true way of 
salvation which the Quakers preached, I might have 
some inward feeling and testimony thereof, by the 
blessed word in my own heart : and after sitting some 
time in silence, a Friend began to speak, directing 
and exhorting to an inward waiting upon the Lord in 
faith, to receive power from him over every unclean 
thought, dec , by which heavenly power men might glorify 
and praise the holy name of the Lord, through the 
ability of his own free gift. — This I understood to be 
his holy word of grace, which the true apostles of our 
dear Lord and blessed Saviour Jesus Christ preached, 
and turned the minds of people unto ; and then I 

b 2 



4 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



felt my soul much in love therewith ; and smiting 
upon my breast, said in my heart, This is what I 
greatly wanted ; that is, power against every vain 
thought and idle word, being things that troubled 
me. The Lord's power arose in the meeting, and fell 
mightily upon me, to the breaking and tendering of 
my heart ; and a glorious time it was, as the mighty 
day of the Lord ; so that great fear, trembling and 
shaking seized me, insomuch that the table whereon 
I leaned and Friends sat, was shaken. Thus being 
sensible in some measure of the glorious name and 
power of the Lord Jesus, I was full of inward cries 
to this effect, ' 0 Lord ! create in me a clean heart ;' for 
I saw the old one was not clean, and that I had been 
kissing the letter but not the Son, as advised by the 
Holy Scripture, which saith, " Kiss the Son, lest he 
be angry," &c. 

And now was a time of the Lord's fierce anger 
because of sin, he having shewed me all things that 
ever I had done, and condemned the evil ; so I was 
made willing to love and dwell under his righteous 
judgments, being truly convinced that was the way to 
come unto the mercy-seat. And then it was upon 
my mind, that I must cease from all the doctrines of 
men, will-worship, hearing the priests, and repeating 
their sermons, which I had delighted in, and was in 
the practice of, as religious duties ; it being made 
plain to me, that I should turn from them, and mind 
the gift which was in me, and sit down among Friends 
in their silent meetings, to wait upon the Lord in 
retiredness of mind, for his heavenly teachings and 
holy leadings ; in the performance of which inward, 
divine, and heavenly worship, the great power of 
God did wonderfully break in among us, and many 
young people were convinced of the inward work of 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



5 



God, and turned to the Lord with all their hearts. 
The Meeting in general became very tender and 
heavenly-minded, and Friends had great love one to 
another ; the heart-melting power of the Lord being 
much felt and inwardly revealed, when no words were 
spoken by either man or woman. In this state we 
travailed in the silence of all flesh, and at this time 
the Lord often renewed our strength in the inward 
man, so that we knew and experienced what the 
apostle exhorteth the primitive christians unto, even 
" Christ to dwell in us by faith," and the renewings 
of the Holy Ghost increased, and were shed on us 
abundantly in our meeting, whereby some were so 
filled, that they were concerned to declare and preach 
the things of the kingdom of God, and what he had 
done for their souls. One of the first that came forth 
in prayer and supplication to the Lord, was William 
Greenup,* and I was the next that came forth there 
in a testimony for the Lord, which was in very great 

* William Greenup, (who is several times mentioned in these 
Journals) resided at Flatt, near Caldbeck, in Cumberland. " It 
pleased the Lord to incline his heart first to seek the kingdom of 
(xod and the righteousness thereof, in his young years ; and as he 
gave up in obedience to the Lord, he increased his faith and 
knowledge, so that he was enabled not only to believe, but also to 
suffer for his name. Having a gift in the ministry committed to 
him, his testimony was living and powerful, and he was fervent in 
prayer. He travelled for the promotion of Truth in many parts 
of this nation, as also in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Several 
were convinced by his testimony, and not only so, but became 
fellow-labourers with him in the ministry. He laboured to pre- 
serve love and unity among brethren, and was zealously concerned 
for the keeping up and promoting good order in the church, 
often advising Friends to faithfulness, and to keep to their testi- 
mony against undue liberty. And that which crowned his labours, 
he kept faithful and stedfast to the end. He died in the year 
1716, aged 75 years." — Piety Promoted, part ix. 



6 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



fear and much trembling. The word of the Lord, in 
and through me, was as a devouring fire, burning 
against all sin and iniquity ; and the Lord made us 
cry aloud to turn people from all vain worships to 
the living God, who is a Holy Spirit. 

The precious life of Jesus broke in wonderfully 
amongst us, so that we felt drawings to visit other 
meetings in the country, wherein the Lord's heavenly 
power was plentifully enjoyed amongst us ; and 
several were convinced of the Truth, who turned to 
the Lord with all their hearts, and joined with Friends ; 
particularly in our own Meeting, whereby it was 
enlarged. I was often very much afTected in feeling 
the love and power of God break through the whole 
Meeting ; and many such heavenly meetings we had, 
and the word of the testimony, in the Lord's ministers, 
increased amongst us. I then found further draw- 
ings to other counties, and visited the meetings of 
Friends in Lancashire and Westmoreland. 

In the year 1682, it was upon me from the Lord, 
in a divine opening, to visit Friends in some parts of 
Ireland. I took shipping at Workington, and landed 
at Dublin, where I was altogether a stranger. After 
1 had staid a meeting amongst Friends, they inquired 
which way I intended to go ; I told them, I had a 
desire to go see some Friends that dwelt between the 
west and north ; a Friend answered, he did think 
there was no such place inhabited by Friends, (or to 
that effect) but if I would see Friends, I must go 
north or south. This brought great trouble upon my 
mind, and I became very low in spirit, questioning 
in myself, whether I was not mistaken in that which 
I thought was the Lord's powerful opening in my 
heart, shewing me both the place and people, and 
wherein I thought I had the mind of Christ, in the 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



7 



holy visioa of life ; and the cries of my heart were 
great unto the Lord in secret, why I was mistaken ; 
but after some time, a living hope sprung in me that 
I was not mistaken, and that the Friends lay or 
inhabited as I had seen. 

A Friend, named Abraham Fuller, spoke kindly to 
me, and said, he lived near the middle of Ireland, 
and if I would go with him we might get a meeting 
amongst Friends at Edenderry ; and in the way I 
had much peace in going with him. We had a blessed 
meeting with Friends at Edenderry; and next day, 
travelling towards Lehinche, where he dwelt, he asked 
me if I understood the compass, I told him no, and 
that I had not seen any compass in all my life-time, 
but that in the ship wherein I came to Dublin. He 
was then very cheerful, and lovingly said, he remem- 
bered that I had said in Dublin, I would go between 
the west and north, ' which now,' said he, 1 I see is 
true, for we go even as thou then said at which I 
was truly thankful to the Lord, who never fails to be 
gracious, and his blessed word is infallible. For then 
I like Samuel, knew it was the word of the Lord 
that called me into his work and service, and shewed 
me these things before I went from home. We came 
cheerfully on our way, until we got to Lehinche, and 
thence to the Moate, where we had a blessed, heavenly 
meeting ; so to Mountmelick, and had a meeting 
there, and thence to James Hutchinson's, and from 
thence to the province meeting at Castledermot. 

This province meeting was large, and divers able 
Friends in the ministry were there ; but I was very 
low in my mind, and did not go up into the gallery, 
but sat dow r n a little within the door. Many people 
came in, so that the place about where I sat was much 
thronged ; and it being a time that the rabble sort 



8 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



of people were very rude, several such were there 
that day. I being under great exercise of spirit, 
the powerful word of the Lord filled my heart : so I 
stood up and preached the gospel in the demonstra- 
tion of the spirit and power that was upon me. The 
rude rabble were astonished, and became very quiet, 
and the Lord's heavenly power did shine forth glori- 
ously, under a weighty sense whereof the meeting 
held and concluded. This meeting brought me into 
great acquaintance with Friends, unto whom I had 
before been a stranger ; notwithstanding I understood 
afterwards they were sore afraid when I stood up, that 
my appearance would have been very hurtful, but it 
proved otherwise, to their great satisfaction. 

After this meeting I went into the county of Wex- 
ford, and visited Friends, having several blessed, 
heavenly meetings with them in that county : they 
were a lowly, plain people. From thence I came 
into the county of Wicklow. Some little time after, 
the motion of life in me for travelling ceased, and I 
durst then go no further, but returned back into the 
county of Wexford, and wrought harvest-work at 
Lambstown. There Robert Cuppage, a Friend in 
the ministry, dwelt, who had a concern to visit 
Friends in Munster, and would have taken me with 
him for a companion ; but I told him I durst not 
go, because the Lord had taken away the motion of 
life from me, as to that sense, and I must wait upon 
the Lord to know his blessed will and good time ; so 
I staid working. 

In a little time after came James Dickinson, a 
young man from Cumberland, to visit Friends, with 
intention to go into Munster, and then the Lord was 
pleased to open my way to go with him \ and we 
being both very young, travelled together in true 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



9 



brotherly love, great humility, and godly fear ; and 
the blessed, heavenly power of the Lord did often 
tender our hearts in meetings, as also the hearts of 
many Friends, and we had a prosperous journey in 
the will of God. So I saw it was good to wait the 
Lord's time in all things ; and having travelled 
through Leinster and Munster, James Dickinson 
went northward, but I was afraid of running before 
my true Guide, because they who run, and are not 
sent of God, can neither profit the people nor them- 
selves. So I staid at work in the city of Waterford 
about sixteen w r eeks, and went from thence to Dublin, 
and staid the half-year's meeting there, which was 
large and very good ; then took shipping and landed 
at Liverpool, with my former companion, James 
Dickinson ; and though it was now a time of great 
persecution of Friends in England, it pleased the 
Lord to give us a peaceable and prosperous journey 
through the meetings of Friends all along in our 
way to Cumberland. 

In a little time after, I, with my dear companion 
James Dickinson, visited Friends in the two counties 
of Cumberland and Westmoreland. At Kendal some 
persons came to break up our meeting, and began to 
pull out Friends ; and in a very rude manner, took 
out my companion. Then the word of the Lord 
came mightily upon me, and I was made bold to 
stand up and preach the everlasting gospel amongst 
them all. The holy power of the Lord came 
mightily over the hearts of Friends, and even the 
opposers were made quiet a considerable time ; but 
after I had stood about an hour, they came and 
pulled me to the door. I asked for my hat, and 
they said, ( Give him his hat, he does well to put it 
off when he preaches.' And after they had asked me 



10 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



many questions, I asked one of them, Whether he 
was a believer in Jesus Christ or not 1 — He said, He 
was, and also in the apostles' doctrine. — Then I told 
him, He never read that either Christ or his apostle3 
did enter into any religious assemblies, and disturb 
them, as he did us, except Paul, (alias Saul), before 
he knew the Lord Jesus, for which sin he afterwards 
calls himself the chief of sinners. So I bade him 
consider, and sat me down in the meeting, all being 
very still ; and in a little time James Dickinson 
kneeled down to prayer ; the Lord's heavenly power 
came over all, and the meeting ended sweetly. 

In the year 1684, I and my said companion tra- 
velled through Lancashire and Cheshire into Wales, 
and had many blessed meetings both in North and 
South Wales ; in all which way no informer dis- 
turbed any of our meetings until we came to Red- 
stone in Pembrokeshire, where a constable, with a 
wicked informer and several other persons came ; 
and as I preached the word of the Lord to the people, 
the informer laid rude hands on me and pulled me 
away. I spoke to him mildly, desiring him to let me 
speak a few words, and he did so : likewise the con- 
stable and those with him, sat down and staid about 
an hour, in which time I preached the way of salvation 
to them all. After which James Dickinson kneeled 
down to prayer, and the informer came to pull him 
up from his knees, but could not, he being in fervent 
prayer to the Lord : so the meeting ended in a sweet 
feeling of the Lord's glorious presence ; thanksgiving 
be unto Him who lives for ever and ever. Amen. 

The said informer came and laid his hands on 
me next, saying, I must go with him ; — I asked, 
Whither? — He said, before a justice; — I asked for 
his warrant ; — he answered, He was a commission 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



11 



officer, and that I had nothing to do to ask him for a 
warrant. — Friends told him, it was but a civil ques- 
tion, at which he was very angry ; but no man 
then laid hands on us to take us away, so we fell 
into some friendly discourse. I was very pleasant, 
and easy in spirit ; and walking to and fro in dis- 
course, one of the company said, I smiled, (which 
they admired at, we being likely to go to prison ;) — I 
answered, That I came in the true love of the Lord 
Jesus Christ to visit them, and had nothing but love 
and good-will to them all ; and turning to the in- 
former, said to him, ' If thou was in a journey, as 
we are, and any man should ask thee to go with him 
before a justice of the peace, without the king's 
justice's warrant, thou would think it below thee, as 
a man, to go so.' — This being mildly spoken to him, 
he gave a sudden answer, saying, 1 To be sure I 
would.' — Then, said I, ' Consider our case where- 
upon, perceiving he had overshot himself, he rode 
away and left us. 

We having appointed a meeting to be next day at 
Haverfordwest, went thither that night, and next 
morning to the meeting ; wherein after a little time, 
the glorious power of the Lord did shine, and that 
text of Holy Scripture [was opened,] " Then said 
these men, we shall not find any occasion against 
this Daniel, except we find it against him con- 
cerning the law of his God." — Dan. vi. 5. And [it 
was further remarked that] after they had pre- 
vailed with King Darius to sign a decree, whereby 
Daniel might be ensnared in performing his duty 
unto his God, this righteous man declined not his 
duty through fear of suffering, but was very bold as 
well as innocent, as appears in the tenth verse of the 
same chapter, viz., " Now, when Daniel knew that 



12 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



the writing was signed, he went into his house ; and 
his windows being open in his chamber toward Jeru- 
salem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, 
and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he 
did aforetime." This subject was preached to the 
people, as our case ; men having nothing against us, 
but for worshipping the Lord God of Daniel in his 
Holy Spirit, according to the institution of our 
blessed Lord and Saviour above sixteen hundred 
years ago ; and that in this glorious gospel time, we 
are to be very diligent and faithful to the Lord, to 
keep up our religious meetings, even in stormy times 
of persecution • referring to that of Daniel, who was 
blessed of the Lord for his faithfulness ; boldly de- 
claring and affirming, that the Lord, whom we serve 
in the gospel of his Son, will reward all his faithful 
children and people ; instancing many proofs out of 
the Holy Scriptures. The aforesaid informer, and 
several priests, whereof his brother was one, together 
with some of the town officers, being at the out- 
side of the house, and hearing these gospel truths 
preached, were very sober, and staid a great while. 
Then some of them said, 1 Let us pull them out of 
their meeting ;' but others said, ' No, by no means, 
for if this be the Quakers' doctrine, it is good and 
sound, we never heard the like, let them alone.' So 
[they] went away, and our meeting ended in prayer 
and thanksgiving to the great Lord of heaven and 
earth, who is worthy for ever and ever. 

This informer fined Friends very much ; but the 
Lord, by one means or other, prevented their goods 
from being taken away, and lastly, by the death of 
King Charles the Second. After this, no informer 
troubled us in any meeting where I came, though 
we had many meetings to visit, as in Glamorganshire, 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



13 



Herefordshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, Shrop- 
shire and Flintshire ; in all which meetings we had 
blessed, sweet waterings and a confirming ministry; 
and Friends were glad in that the God of peace had 
rebuked the storm in those parts. Now my com- 
panion and I parted for the service' sake ; he went 
into Ireland, and I travelled northward, and had a 
prosperous journey through Cheshire, Lancashire and 
Westmoreland. 

Friends at Great Strickland, not being suffered to 
meet at their usual meeting-place, met in the high- 
way before the meeting-house door ; and the officers 
came when I was preaching the word of the Lord, 
but were very sober, and did not break up our meet- 
ing. From thence I came home, where my mother 
and family, with Friends and neighbours, were very 
glad to see me safe returned, in that stormy time. 

After some stay at my outward employ about home, 
I found drawings to visit Friends in Northumberland, 
Durham and Yorkshire, and had many blessed meet- 
ings, mostly peaceable, though the storm of persecu- 
tion was not yet fully ended. I went into Warwick- 
shire, Oxfordshire and Oxford city, where I heard the 
scholars had been rude, and much abused Friends. I 
went into that city on a First-day morning, in great 
fear and humility, being a stranger to all Friends 
there, and sat me down in a corner of the meeting- 
house. Friends sat by the sides of the house, and 
left the middle empty for the rabble (as I thought). 
We having sat a little time, a Friend began to speak, 
and had spoken but a very few words before the 
scholars came in, in such abundance, that 1 supposed 
they filled the middle part of the house. The Friend 
sat down as soon as they came in ; and the meeting 
being in silence, they began to talk one to another, and 



14 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



spy out who would preach; and seeing me like a 
traveller, said, 'That in the corner;' looking rudely 
upon me ; and thus talking one to another for some 
time, the word of the Lord was strong in my heart to 
preach unto them. But I was first to say, ' Sit down 
young men, we shall be glad of your company so long 
as you are civil ;' which done, they all sat down, and 
began to listen earnestly what I would say. I preached 
the way to the kingdom of heaven to be in Jesus 
Christ, regeneration, and to be born again ; and that 
blessed Jesus taught this doctrine to Nicodemus, 
" Except a man be born again, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God." — John iii. 3. And though he was 
a master or teacher in Israel, yet being carnally 
minded, he could not understand these things; neither 
can any carnally-minded men now know the things of 
God, " For no man knoweth the Father but the Son, 
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." So 
those that preach against revelation, they preach 
against the true knowledge of the living God, and 
life eternal ; for our blessed Lord said, " This is life 
eternal, that they might know thee, the only true 
God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." And 
this was in and by the Spirit and holy gift of his 
saving grace that brings salvation ; and so went on 
in preaching as it opened in me. The scholars went 
away quietly, and the meeting ended in prayer to 
Almighty God. 

I went from Oxford to High Wycombe, and so to 
the city of London, where I staid some time, and had 
many blessed meetings amongst Friends ; several of 
w r hich meetings were held in the streets, where Friends 
were kept out of their meeting-houses, and the Lord's 
holy word was preached boldly in the streets of that 
city. Friends were then a lowly, humble-minded 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



15 



people, and the honour of the blessed Truth was pre- 
cious to many. 

From thence I travelled through some counties, in 
the way to Norwich, and had meetings amongst 
Friends ; and an honest Friend [was] with me, that 
is, Samuel Waldenfield,* who had the way of salvation 
to preach in the powerful word of life. We had 
very large meetings in Norwich, there being a great 
openness in the people of that city and many parts 
of the county, to receive the testimony of the Lord's 
Truth, it being a time of convincement. From 
thence I travelled to Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, and 
so northward to Cumberland, and had blessed meet- 
ings amongst Friends. 

After I had settled some time to my outward 
employ in Cumberland, I went to meetings up and 
down in that county, and was moved of the Lord to 
visit Friends in Wales, and thence to Bristol, having 
a very sincere companion, William Greenup. We 
travelled together in great unity, and had many 

* Samuel Waldenfield. was a Friend highly esteemed for his 
virtuous conversation and his religious services. He was born at 
Edmondsbury, in Suffolk, in the year 1652, and was convinced of the 
principles of Friends about the eighteenth year of his age. He soon 
afterwards received a gift in the ministry, in the exercise of which 
he was especially concerned to exhort to such a life and conversa- 
tion as becomes our christian profession, being himself a bright 
example in this respect. He travelled as a minister in most of 
the counties of England, and more frequently in the eastern parts, 
also in Scotland, Ireland, Holland and Germany ; and his labours 
were made effectual to the convincement of many. He was also 
eminently serviceable in the discipline of the Society. In the 
year 1684, he married and settled in London, where he shared in 
the sufferings to which Friends were at that time exposed. A 
few years before his decease, he removed to Bush-hill, near Ed- 
monton, where he died in the year 1715. — See Gouglis History 
of Friends, and Piety Promoted, part v. 



16 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



powerful meetings in divers places ; the Lord's 
heavenly power did mightily break and tender the 
hearts of Friends ; and in the city of Bristol, they 
said, We came in the same power and plainness that 
those Friends did, who were the first instruments in 
turning them to God. It was a time of great humi- 
liation and thankfulness to the Lord, both in Friends 
and [other] people, of whom some were convinced, 
and turned to God. 

We went from Bristol into Wales again, and staid 
some time at Haverfordwest, and had many large and 
heavenly meetings ; thence took shipping together 
for Ireland, and came to Dublin, where we were 
gladly received by Friends. And after having 
travelled through all, or most parts of that nation, 
where Friends inhabited, and had many blessed 
meetings, we came to the half-year's meeting at 
Dublin, where we parted. William went home, and 
I travelled again into the north part of Ireland, and 
staid there some time amongst Friends ; so took 
shipping at Carrickfergus, and landed in Scotland, 
and had some blessed, heavenly meetings among 
Friends there. From thence I returned to Cumber- 
land, the place of my nativity, where my relations 
and Friends were glad to see me well, upon my return 
from so long a journey, of about nine months' time. 
I staid here some time, working at my outward 
employment, and was also at many blessed meetings 
in this county. 

After this stay in Cumberland, I went thence with 
my dear companion, James Dickinson, into the west 
of England, in the Lord's work and service : we had 
a precious journey, being filled with the Holy Spirit, 
to preach the word of God. Meetings were now very 
large ; many people came in to seek after the Lord's 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



17 



Truth, and much desired to hear the word, the strong- 
wind of persecution being ceased, so that there was a 
great calm. We had glorious meetings ; the Lord's 
tendering, heart-melting power greatly breaking 
through them. We visited the meetings in Somer- 
setshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall to the Land's 
End ; so returned northward in great peace, and 
visited Friends in Gloucestershire, and Worcester- 
shire, and parted at Coventry. James went to Lon- 
don, but I travelled northward, and visited many 
meetings both of the north and east counties ; so 
went to London, in the power of the Holy Spirit, 
and preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. 
From thence I returned to Cumberland, where I 
staid diligently at work for a time; then took my 
leave of Friends, in order to enter upon a long 
journey. 

I first went into Westmoreland, and thence into 
Lancashire, Cheshire, North and South Wales, and 
so to Bristol, Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, Hampshire, 
Surrey, and London ; in which city I met with my 
dear companion James Dickinson, and was exceed- 
ing glad to see him. We both having had a great 
exercise in our minds to visit the Lord's people in 
America, and having certificates on that account 
from the respective Monthly Meetings we belonged 
unto, we laid our intentions before Friends in London, 
for their concurrence ; which they received very 
kindly, and approved of, believing that the Lord had 
called us to preach his gospel in that part of the world. 
But the times seemed like to be very dangerous and 
stormy : the French being at war. against England, 
had a great fleet at sea ; and while we were in 
London, the rumour was, that the French fleet lay 
about thirty or forty leagues from the Land's End 

c 



18 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



of England, in the way we should pass. This brought 
a very great concern upon us, with many inward 
seekings and supplications to the Lord, if it was his 
blessed will, that he might be pleased to preserve us. 
And being strong in faith, that it was easy with the 
Lord God to deliver us, we trusted in his holy power ; 
and I being in deep travail of soul, had an opening 
from the Lord, that it was his holy will to deliver 
us, and we should live to see it ; which I believed, 
and was humbly thankful to the Lord, and told my 
dear companion thereof with great joy ; for we being 
nearly united in true love, could freely open our 
minds each to the other. He also told me, that 
being under a travail of soul, the Lord had showed 
him, That the French fleet would encompass us on 
both sides, and also behind, and come very near ; but 
the Lord ivould send in a great mist and darkness 
between us and them, in tvhich we should sail away, 
and see them no more. Thus we imparted our minds 
to each other before we left London ; and our open- 
ings so agreeing one with another, we were the more 
confirmed that it was of the Lord. We staid in the 
city till the Yearly Meeting, 1691, was over : a 
blessed meeting it was, and Friends' tender love was 
towards us, many ancient Friends being there ; par- 
ticularly V\ illiam Edmundson from Ireland, who 
gave us tender advice, which we took very kindly, 
he having been in America in Truth's service. 



t 



OF THOMAS WILSON. t9 



CHAPTER II. 

His Voyage to America — Remarkable deliverance at sea — Travels 
and Gospel labours in America and the West Indies — Sundry 
Epistles to Friends in those parts. 

We sailed from London to Gravesend, and had a 
blessed meeting there, with the Friends that accom- 
panied us from the city, and after meeting, took leave 
of each other. We sailed from thence to the Downs, 
and the master being very kind, we went on shore, 
and had some meetings thereabout, wherein the 
Lord's holy power tendered our hearts together. 
From thence we sailed to Plymouth, and went 
on shore, where we had some blessed, comfortable 
meetings, and Friends were very glad to see us. 

On the 9th day of the Fifth Month, 1691, we 
went aboard, and sailed to Falmouth, where all 
the fleet put in ; and at times we had very good 
meetings, both Friends and [other] people being very 
open to hear the Truth declared. After our return 
aboard the ship and some time of sailing, we met 
with the French fleet, who gave us chase, coming up 
under English colours, within musket-shot of us : 
then the English putting up their own colours, the 
French began to fire at them. The first French ship 
that came up was very large, and, as it is said, had 
ninety guns ; nigh unto which ship were eleven 
more, and seventy sail behind them, as some of our 
company said they counted, The first ship pursued 
us, and fired hard, a broadside at every time ; and 
being come up within musket-shot, the Lord was 

. c 2 



20 LIFE AND TRAVELS 

graciously pleased to hear our prayers, and sent a 
great mist, with thick darkness, which interposed 
between us and them, so that they could not see us, 
nor we them, any more. Then James Dickinson 
arose from his seat, and took me by the hand, saying, 
' Now I hope the Lord will deliver us :' for he had 
seen all fulfilled, which the Lord had shewed before 
we left London. This was cause of great gladness to 
me, who had been under a deep travail of spirit with 
fasting and prayer to the Lord, that he who smote 
his enemies in times past with blindness, might 
please to do so now ; which the Lord did please to 
answer ; in a sense whereof our hearts were truly 
thankful to him. My fasting, praying, and inward 
giving of thanks continued three days. 

Two ships of our company that escaped, came up 
with us, which we were glad to see ; and the captain 
of our vessel, being a very kind man, called to those 
in the other two ships to come aboard his, and have 
a meeting with us ; which they readily did ; and a 
large and good meeting we had, giving glory to the 
Lord's holy name for his great deliverance. So 
we sailed on our way rejoicing, continuing healthy 
and well until we landed at Barbadoes, which was 
on the 24th of the Sixth Month, 1691. Here we 
found a great sickness amongst the people, but 
Friends were glad to see us. The first meeting we 
had there, was at the burial of a noted Friend, where 
we sounded forth the word of the Lord, a multitude 
of people being there, both white and black : the 
Lord's holy word powerfully reached, and broke 
many of their hearts into great tenderness : the 
blacks stood astonished, with tears running down 
their cheeks and naked breasts. We staid above two 
months in that island, in all which time the sickness 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



21 



raged ; yet we had many large and precious meetings, 
to which there was great flocking, the people being 
very much humbled by the sickness ; and several 
received the Truth and joined with Friends. So 
being clear in our spirits of that island, we parted 
with Friends in great love and sweetness. 

On the 22nd of the Eighth Month, we took 
shipping for New York, and arrived there the 
23rd of the Ninth Month, being about a month's 
time ; and though we had a great storm in our 
passage, which lasted ten days, the Lord's good 
hand preserved us. But the captain was very much 
down in his mind and under indisposition of body, 
in the time of our voyage ; and said to me, 4 We' 
(meaning himself and the crew) ' should die like 
rotten sheep ;' I said, 1 No, captain, do not fear :' for 
I saw that the ship would go safe in ; and after some 
further discourse, he hugged me in his arms, and 
seemed to rejoice. "We accordingly arrived at New 
York, and had a meeting there ; and from thence 
went to Long Island, where we had several good 
meetings with Friends. Then the word of the Lord 
was in me, thus, ' Hasten, hasten, to visit my great 
people in Philadelphia ;' so we went forward, having 
some good meetings in our way thither. 

When we came to Philadelphia, there was a great 
division raised amongst Friends by George Keith. 
We preached the Lord Jesus powerfully amongst 
them, and had some labour tending to peace. My 
companion had it often upon him to warn them all 
to keep more inward to the Lord. We staid some 
time there, visiting Friends in that province, and 
had many precious meetings amongst them ; some of 
which were kept without doors, for want of room, 
[as there were] great flockings to hear the Truth 



22 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



declared, although it was winter time. We went 
from thence into Maryland, and visited Friends on 
the eastern and western shores. Then we travelled to 
Virginia, and had many good and comfortable meet- 
ings, the Lord's good presence accompanying us from 
time to time ; and we found a tender, humble people 
there. 

We went from Virginia towards North Carolina, 
where the floods were so great, that we could not 
travel on horseback, but waded barefoot through 
swamps and waters. Friends and [other] people 
were exceeding glad to see us, they not having had 
any visit by a travelling Friend of the ministry for 
several years before. We had good service amongst 
them ; for the Lord's heavenly power wonderfully 
supported us under our difficulties and hard travel ; 
the country being so full of wild creatures, that wolves 
would come and roar about the houses in the night 
time. So after having had many good and heavenly 
meetings with Friends there, we took leave of them, 
and returned through the wilderness to Virginia ; 
then travelled up James River, having meetings as 
we went, until we came to Curies, where we had 
some meetings to satisfaction, amongst Friends and 
[other] people. 

We went from Curies through the woods to Black 
Creek, where we had appointed a meeting ; and none 
having been there before, the sheriff with some 
officers came to break up the meeting. James 
Dickinson being then declaring, the sheriff asked 
him, From whom he had his commission to preach ? — 
James answered to this effect, ' I have my commission 
from the great God, unto whom thou and 1 must 
give an account.' At these words the sheriff seemed 
much astonished ; and after they had had some 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



23 



further discourse, the sheriff swore ; for which James 
reproved him, and said, ' The sheriff should not 
swear — he answered, ' I know I should not swear 
seeming then very mild, and said, We had a gracious 
king and queen, and they had given us our liberty. — 
I then stood up, and asked the^sheriff a question, viz. 
As he had said, that we had a gracious king and 
queen, that had given us our liberty, (which was 
true,) then by what law would the sheriff persecute 
us? — He then turned about, and went away. Where- 
upon James Dickinson spake aloud, saying, ' Let the 
sheriff answer the question :' which it doth not ap- 
pear he did, but took the man of the house along 
with him a little way, and sent him back to bid us 
go off his land. — I told him, We did not come there 
without his leave, and both he and the people might 
know, we had not broken the king's law, but were 
there upon a religious account, and if they would 
have a little patience, and hear what we had to 
say for the Lord, we would go peaceably away. 
Most of the people staid, and we had a heavenly 
meeting amongst them. Several were convinced, 
and in a short time after, a meeting-house was built 
and a meeting settled there, which I think is kept 
there still. 

After the said meeting at Black Creek, one Charles 
Fleming, who had not been at any of our meetings 
before, being reached by the Truth, kindly invited 
us to lodge with him that night, which we did. From 
his house we travelled towards Maryland, having 
company a little Avay of the first day's journey, and 
then [were] left in the woods : and after having 
travelled all day, we sat down in the dusk of the 
evening, to eat a little bread and cheese. My mare 
went out of my hand, and in a little time I per- 



24 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



ceived she had found water, at which I was very 
glad ; and I think I never drank any wine more 
sweet and pleasant to me, than that water was. 

We lodged that night in the woods, and as soon 
as the day brake, set forward on our journey through 
the woods, northward ; and as we were travelling, 
met with two men, one of whom being an ancient, 
comely man, kindly invited us to his house, where 
we staid two nights, and had a meeting, though he 
was an elder among the Presbyterians ; he also lent 
us his boat to go over Potomack River. The next 
night we lodged at a poor man's house, and had no 
bed to lie in : as we were sitting by his fire, he told 
us that George Fox and J ohn Burnyeat had travelled 
in those parts, and had meetings on both sides the 
river, and many were convinced, but several of them 
fell away. We got next day over Patuxent River, into 
Maryland, and had many blessed meetings amongst 
Friends on both sides of the bay. 

" An Epistle to Friends in Virginia and Carolina, 
from King's Greek in Maryland , the 12th of the 
Second Month, 1692, 

" Dear Friends, 

" All dwell in the love of God, by which your 
hearts were at first reached, and tender desires raised 
to make your peace with him, which was lost by 
reason of sin : for it was the love of the Father to 
bring you to his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ ; in 
whom you have all life and salvation, as you abide 
in him, and keep in his love, that draws your affec- 
tions heaven-ward, where they will be fixed on 
heavenly things, and where the sweetness of life your 
souls will witness, for the strengthening and building 
of you up in that most holy faith which God hath 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



25 



called you into, and made you partakers of. Every 
one be careful to walk worthy of the vocation where- 
unto ye are called, in all fear and meekness ; watching 
in the light, where you will discern the wiles of the 
enemy in all his cunning baits and transformations. 
As every one of you keeps inward to the Lord, you 
will have salt in yourselves to savour withal ; that 
as Christ our Lord said, " Every one shall be salted 
with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with 
another. " 

" And as every one keeps to the spirit of judg- 
ment and burning, and knows the fire of God's 
jealousy kindled against every appearance of evil, 
you will be kept inquiring and taking counsel of the 
Lord, where you will be safe, and can do nothing 
against the Truth, but for the Truth ; and the Lord 
will take delight to appear in your meetings, by his 
living power, and give you a sense and feeling 
beyond words, as he hath done unto a remnant of 
you, blessed be his holy name for ever. There are 
those who can taste words as the mouth tastes meat ; 
therefore is it that words cannot deceive such ; but 
all have not attained this length ; some are unskilful, 
and have need of milk, which our God will give. If 
you keep those longing desires that are already raised 
in you, ye shall know " the sincere milk of the word 
that you may grow thereby" from one degree of grace 
unto another, until you become perfect men in Christ 
Jesus ; in whom you may edify and build up one 
another in the most holy faith, by which you will be 
made heirs of that crown which is incorruptible, and 
full of glory. For the attainment whereof, every one 
press forward in the life of righteousness, watching 
one over another for good, and stirring up one 



26 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



another to love and good works. Herein God will 
supply you with the increase of his Holy Spirit, by 
which you will be fitted for the service God hath called 
you into ; which is, to be zealous for the Truth upon 
earth, and against every thing that would cause the 
Truth to be evil spoken of : that none may be as those 
spoken of formerly, who walked as enemies to the cross 
of Christ and were a grief to the faithful in ages past. 
And such are a grief to the honest-hearted in this day, 
who are concerned for God and his Truth, and propa- 
gation of the gospel ; travelling for the prosperity of 
Zion and peace of Jerusalem, and know her to be a 
quiet habitation, and themselves inhabitants thereof. 

" The Lord is making those as watchmen upon her 
walls, whose resolution is to keep them up, not- 
withstanding the scoffs and reproaches of such, who, 
like Sanballat and Tobias, are without the city, 
Neh. iv ; those who are within, are really concerned 
for God, and to stand against every appearance of 
evil, both in themselves and others. And the Lord is 
enduing them with power and wisdom, proceeding 
from his Holy Spirit, that they heed not the revilings 
of Amnion, nor the reproach of Moab ; for though 
he may go into the sanctuary to pray, he shall 
not prevail ; but Israel, that wrestleth with the 
Lord, shall prevail. Therefore let your care be, 
to wait for the assistance of God's Spirit, and that 
none plead for the Truth, and be out of the spirit of 
Truth, for that will never tend to God's glory, nor 
your edification ; but quite the contrary, [even] to 
darken, veil, and oppress the seed of God, one in 
another. But as all keep low in their respective gifts, 
waiting to know the assistance of God's Spirit, still 
being nothing without it, you will feel the Lord 
to work all your works, both in you and for you, 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



27 



and give power to answer what lie requires of you ; 
and then his love will be increased unto you, and 
you will abide in favour with him. As you are 
here preserved, an increase of the life of Truth you 
will daily witness, which will occasion praises to be 
sounded forth to the Lord God and the Lamb, who 
are blessed for evermore. Amen. 

"P. S. — Now, dear friends, we desire you, in the 
love of God, as it was our advice when present with 
you, that you watch one over another in love, and 
keep in a Christian spirit, forgiving one another, if 
any brother have any thing against another ; as God 
for Christ's sake doth forgive you, so forgive one 
another ; and take the advice of the apostle, ' Be not 
children in understanding, but in malice be ye 
children,' that marks of true disciples you may bear, 
and manifest yourselves to all men to be such ; that 
preachers of righteousness you may be to the world, 
that lies in wickedness ; and follow after those things 
that make for peace, and eschew the contrary ; and 
the God of peace will bless you, and keep you from 
evil that it hurt you not, to his glory and your 
comfort. Amen. 

" Note. — Let copies of this be taken and read in 
your meetings, and a copy be sent to Carolina. So 
remain your friends and brethren in the Truth, 
letting you know that we are well, with love to 
you all, sending these lines as a token thereof. 
Farewell. 

" Thomas Wilson, 
" James Dickinson." 

Being clear of those parts, we went towards the 
lower counties of Pennsylvania, and so to the Yearly 
Meeting at Salem in West Jersey, which held several 



28 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



days ; the Lord's holy power was largely manifested 
therein, and Friends were in great love and unity. 
From thence we went to Philadelphia, where we found 
the difference between George Keith and Friends 
broken out to an open separation ; he having gathered 
a company to himself, and set up a separate meeting, 
which was cause of great exercise to faithful Friends : 
and he seeing we did not go to his meeting, sent us 
a challenge to dispute, which we readily complied 
with, and had a meeting with him and his party, a 
great many faithful Friends accompanying us. We 
sat a while in silence to hear his charges against 
Friends, viz. that some of them were not sound in 
faith, doctrine, and principle ; but did not prove it, nor 
suffer Friends to answer him, but went on in railing. 
We made remarks, though said nothing, which raised 
a great desire in him and his abettors, to have 
another meeting with me and my companion. This 
we readily agreed to, provided some faithful Friends 
went along with us, to bear witness ; for I knew that 
the like separate spirit, which had appeared in Eng- 
land, was a lying spirit. 

Some time after, having divers Friends along with 
us, we met again with the said George Keith and the 
chief of his abettors ; and being quietly set to hear 
what he had to say, he advanced his former charge 
against Friends, as being unsound in faith, doctrine 
and principle ; — unto which I answered, saying, ' No 
error in faith, doctrine, or principle, of particular 
men or persons, was a sufficient reason for him to set 
up a separate meeting.' — He opposed me ; — then I 
asked liberty to be heard, and told him to this effect. 
6 If he and his company were sound in faith and 
doctrine, and men of God, they should have kept up 
their testimony for the Lord in the meeting ; and if 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



29 



there must have been a separation, such unsound 
men or persons would have gone away from Friends, 
as those did formerly, of whom John said, " They 
went out from us, but they were not of us ; for if 
they had been of us, they would, no doubt, have 
continued with us ; but they went out, that they 
might be made manifest that they were not all of 
us."' — 1 John ii. 11. I also asked them, ' Wherever 
they knew faithful Friends in England leave their 
meeting, and set up a separate meeting V — Thus we 
left the dispute at that time, and went to visit the 
meetings of Friends in the Welsh track or plantation, 
and to and fro in the country ; so returned again to 
Philadelphia, and had a third meeting, (very large) 
with Keith and his party. I told them, ' They were 
gone from the Lord in an airy nourish, and the wit 
of man, and had set up a separate meeting ; but in 
a little time the Sun of Righteousness would shine 
amongst them, and drive away the misty doctrines 
of men, and that they, (meaning the Separates,) 
should dwindle, die away, and come to nothing ; except 
such who were most honest towards God, who should 
return to Truth and Friends — which, in a little time, 
was fulfilled in both respects. 

Now leaving Friends at Philadelphia, we went into 
the country to a meeting, to which George Keith 
came : he asked me where we would be on the First- 
day, saying also, that he had appointed a meeting 
to be next First-day at Crosswicks ; and finding 
freedom, I went thither : but my companion, James 
Dickinson, found drawings from the Lord to go to 
Philadelphia, and be at the meeting there that First- 
day. Thither George Keith came, contrary to his ap- 
pointment; and, leaving his separate meeting, met with 
Friends in their large meeting-house, and preached 



30 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



fawningly, as though he and James Dickinson were 
in unity. But after he had done, James stood up 
in great authority in the Lord's power, and con- 
futed George's doctrine and practice, setting Truth 
over him and his party, and opened the mystery of 
salvation to the people to their great satisfaction. 
After which, George Keith went away in great wrath ; 
and the people, who were not Friends, being many, 
cried aloud, ' Give way, and let the devil come out, 
for the little black man from England has got the 
day.' After which, George called his party together 
to their meeting-house, and told them, that James 
Dickinson had never appeared against him till that 
day, but had then made himself equal with Thomas 
Wilson, (meaning in opposition to him, &c.) 

After this meeting, James Dickinson came to me 
at Cross wicks, from whence we travelled through 
Jersey, and to the Yearly Meeting at Flushing 
on Long Island, which was a large and blessed 
meeting ; and after having visited Friends in that 
island, and had good service for the Lord amongst 
them, we travelled through the country till we came 
to Rhode Island, and were at the Yearly Meeting 
there, which was very large and heavenly; the Lord's 
tendering power came mightily over it. We travelled 
from thence through New England, till we came to 
Boston ; and after having had some service for the 
Lord there, we travelled into the eastern parts of the 
country. The Indian war being very hot at Hampton, 
and thereabout in the country, many of the people 
were gone into garrisons ; and it was upon us to go 
to a garrison, which we did, and had a meeting near 
it at a Friend's house. After which meeting, we 
returned back to Salem, where Friends were glad to 
see us safe ; several having been murdered on the 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



31 



road, and some that same day. We went from thence 
to Boston again, and inquired if any ship was bound 
from thence to Barbadoes ; and there being one, but 
not fully ready, we went to Rhode Island again, and 
had several good meetings amongst Friends there : 
so parting with them in great love and tenderness, 
we returned to Boston. 

"An Epistle to Friends in Pennsylvania. 

"Dear Friends, 

"Our love in the Lord Jesus Christ tenderly 
salutes you all, in the spring of divine love, as those 
that desire your growth and settlement in God's 
everlasting Truth, which God, in his rich mercy, hath 
made you sensible of, and gathered you into ; 
wherein you have found great peace with God, and 
sweet unity one with another ; so that your hearts 
have been filled in your assemblies with his living- 
presence, which hath occasioned praises to spring- 
unanimously unto the Lord. 

" Dear Friends, Truth is the same that ever it was, 
and the power of it as prevailing as ever ; and 
where it is kept to, and dwelt in, hath the same 
effect as ever ; as many of you are witnesses, who 
keep your habitation therein ; with whom our souls 
are bound up in God's everlasting covenant of light ; 
in which, as we walk, we have true fellowship one 
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son 
cleanseth us from all unrighteousness. So all be 
careful to walk in the light, where there is no occa- 
sion of stumbling, but every one will see their way 
in the Lord, and where your fellowship will be in- 
creased with him, and one with another : and the 
marks of true disciples you will bear to the world, if 
ye love one another ; for ' God is love, and he that 



32 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God : he that saith he 
is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness, 
even until now." — " For if a man say, I love God, 
and hateth his brother, he is a liar," 1 John ii. 9 ; 
iv. 16, 20. Therefore we desire you may follow 
those things that make for peace, and eschew the 
contrary ; all keeping down to your own gifts, tra- 
velling with the seed, and for the coming of it up 
into dominion, in all your hearts ; that you may 
know your wills truly subjected to the will of God. 
Here you will be kept in a holy dread and pure awe, 
in all your meetings ; and in your lives and conver- 
sations you will be preachers of righteousness, and 
tender of God's glory, watching one over another 
for good, and none for evil ; but that eye will be 
plucked out. And as you are here kept truly bowed 
down, still waiting to feel the operation of the power 
of God, that was before the power of the devil, you 
will feel the Arm that gathered you to be about you, 
and keep you in all trials and exercises, as many 
have done to God's glory and their comfort ; so that 
they can say, the same Arm which gathered them, 
hath still kept them unto this day, in unity with the 
Lord, and in fellowship one with another. [These] 
are concerned to be kept " in the unity of the Spirit," 
which is the " bond of peace ;" and they grow sound 
in the faith and in charity, and know the virtues of 
charity, that " seeketh not her own, is not easily pro- 
voked, thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity, 
but rejoiceth in the truth," 1 Cor. xiii. 5, 6, without 
which, the apostle concluded, he was but " as sound- 
ing brass, or a tinkling cymbal," though he had never 
so large gifts without it. 

" So, dear Friends, what gifts soever you have re- 
ceived, be careful that you be improving them to 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



33 



the honour of the Giver, as those that know an ac- 
count must be given unto Him, who will require it 
of us all ; and how near that time is to any, may be 
out of the sight of most of us. 

" Our souls are concerned for you, that you may all 
grow in grace, and increase in the knowledge of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and obedience unto him ; for it is 
those that do his will that will know of his doctrine, 
John vii. 17. His doctrine is known to such, to drop 
as the dew, and his speech to distil as the small rain ; 
blessed be his name for ever. He is daily opening 
the divine mysteries of his kingdom to them who are 
kept humble and low before him, truly desiring to 
keep at Wisdom's gate ; who wait for counsel from 
the Lord every day, and to feel the assistance of his 
Spirit, and dare not move until the Lord go before 
and draw them forward. These walk safely, and feel 
their peace to flow as a river : and the Lord esta- 
blished their goings, that they are not easily moved 
with any storm or wind, but know the Rock, and 
are as the dove that maketh her nest there : and 
though such may be tried, and lie as amongst the pots, 
yet shall they come forth more bright, " as the dove 
whose wings are covered with silver, and her feathers 
with yellow gold," and shall know the trial of their 
faith to be more precious than that of gold that 
pe.risheth. 

" So all keep to the word of God's patience, and 
wait for the feeling of his power in all your meetings, 
that your hearts may be kept tender thereby ; and a 
godly care will be more and more raised in you all, 
to watch over your children, and train them up in 
the fear of the Lord, and to discharge your duty in 
restraining them out of the ways and fashions of the 
world. Our souls are concerned for your tender 

T) 



34 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



children, that as they grow in years, they may grow 
in grace and be God's children, succeeding you in 
the way of righteousness, and be a blessing unto you in 
your old age ; for we are sensible God's great love is 
unto them, and several of them were reached by his 
power when we were with you. Our bowels of love 
roll unto you and them, that you all may be kept by 
the power of God out of evil, in that life wherein you 
may find acceptance with him ; where the streams of 
his love will be daily opened unto you ; and in the 
sense of it you will be engaged to walk in fear before 
him, as those that feel his preserving arm to be with 
and support you ; which, God of his infinite mercy 
grant for you all, is the sincere breathing of your 
friends and brethren, in the kingdom, patience, and 
tribulation of the Lamb ; with hearts full of love 
unto all the faithful ; desiring your prayers to God 
for us, unto whom we commit you, with our own 
souls, who is only able to keep us from falling ; to 
whom be all fear, obedience and worship, both now 
and evermore. Amen. 

" Thomas Wilson, 
" James Dickinson." 

K From Rhode Island, 
the 5th of the Fifth Month, 1692." 

On the 17th of the Sixth Month, 1692, we took 
shipping at Boston for Barbadoes ; and after we 
had been about two or three days at sea, the ship 
being new, sprung a leak ; and part of our lading 
being tar, some ran out of the barrels into the hold, 
and our pumps clogged, so things looked very dan- 
gerous. I stripped myself to work at the pump, and 
James went with the captain to search the hold, 
where they found a treenail hole that the carpenter 



OP THOMAS WILSON. 



35 



had left unfilled up ; and after they had got it 
stopped, through the Lord's great mercy we arrived 
safe at Barbadoes. Some time before we went in, it 
fell thick, dark weather, continuing so all the fore- 
noon ; but about twelye o'clock the sun broke out, 
and our sailors got an observation ; immediately 
after which, the mist struck in again, and the dark- 
ness was so great, that although there was a pri- 
vateer which had laid several days in that latitude, 
we escaped her, and got well in. So that we saw 
the same Hand which preserved us in our first going- 
there, by bringing in a thick mist, had again pre- 
served us in like manner, a second time ; which was 
cause of great joy to us and Friends on the island, 
who gladly received us. 

We landed at Barbadoes on the 2nd day of the 
Eighth Month, 1692, where we staid some time, and 
visited Friends' meetings thoroughly, and had good 
service for the Lord ; the sickness which was in the 
island at our first coming, still continuing, whereby 
the people were very much humbled ; and their ex- 
ercise was further increased by a plot the blacks had 
laid to murder the white people, which was dis- 
covered in manner following : 

A certain man having a black servant, whom he 
respected, called him in and gave him a dram ; where- 
with he was so well pleased, that upon his going out, 
he said to himself, ' My master is a very good man, 
great pity to kill my master •* and being overheard, 
some made information thereof to his master ; upon 
which he had him apprehended, and examined be- 
fore the governor, but he denied all. However, they 
sent him to prison, and set a private watch to 
see if any of the blacks would come to speak with 
him, which several did privately, and charged him 

d 2 



36 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



not to confess, [telling him] a great many hundreds 
would come and rescue him out of prison, and also 
go on with the massacre ; which occasioned him to 
be brought again before the governor ; and then he 
confessed the whole plot, which was to ' To kill all 
the white men on Sunday night, and to seize the 
fort, shipping, horses, and arms.' But being thus 
discovered, many of the blacks were taken and hung 
up in gibbets alive till they died. 

[In the former Editions of this Journal, the fol- 
lowing Epistle (without date), is entitled, Another 
Epistle to Friends in America ; but its contents 
shew that it was sent to, and more particularly in- 
tended for, some one Monthly Meeting ; also that it 
was written about this time.] 

"Dear Friends, 

" Our tender love in the Lord Jesus Christ, dearly 
salutes you, an^ all the faithful in that land, amongst 
whom we have travelled to preach the gospel of life 
and salvation ; desiring the Lord may bless you all, and 
increase his love amongst you, and that you may be 
kept in his holy covenant of peace, into which he 
hath gathered you by his own power ; where you have, 
and do know, sweet communion with the Lord and 
one with another. And in this you are a true 
strength one to another ; the sweetness whereof none 
knows, as it is, but those who dwell in it, and keep 
to the conduct of the power that gathered them ; 
where the springs of divine love and life such feel 
daily opened unto them, which keep them alive to 
God, and under a true concern for the peace of the 
church, and prosperity of Zion. We desire that this 
care may be kept in by you all whom God hath 
gathered, [and that you may] abide in his covenant 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



37 



of light and life, and walk therein ; where you will 
have true fellowship, and know the blood of Jesus 
Christ to cleanse you from all sin and unrighteous- 
ness, which hath been and still is the occasion of all 
the strife and contention, rents and divisions that 
have happened amongst us since we have been a 
people ; which we pray God to put a stop unto, and 
keep all his people in true fear and humility in their 
gifts ; waiting to know their strength renewed in him, 
that they may stand against the enemy, who labours 
to scatter God's heritage, whom he hath gathered. 
So be preserved in unity with the Lord, and one with 
another, where cries and supplications are daily 
poured forth to the Lord for one another, as ours are 
for you ; and we desire yours may be for us, that we 
may be borne up through the many tribulations we 
meet with, and that we may have the gift of utter- 
ance to proclaim the everlasting gospel, and be pre- 
served out of the hands of unreasonable men. 

" Dear Friends, we desire, as you are free and clear, 
and have your hearts open thereto, that you will send 
us a certificate from your Monthly Meeting, of your 
unity with us while we were present with you, and 
at our parting from you ; and inclose it for us, to be 
left at Joseph Groves's, in Barbadoes. We have had 
good service here, and the Lord hath been with us, to 
our great comfort, though under great sorrow of soul, 
for those things which have happened to Delaware, 
and more especially to see them published in print, to 
the view of the world, and enemies of Truth j the 
publishers of which may expect a reward according 
to their works ; and God in his own time will wipe 
away all those reproaches, and ease the spirits of 
them that travail under the weight thereof. Unto 
him we are willing to commit the cause, and do 



38 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



commit you, and our own souls ; so remain your 
Friends and brethren, 

" Thomas Wilson, 
" James Dickinson." 

Being clear of Barbadoes, we went from thence to 
Antigua, where we staid some time, and had several 
large meetings amongst the people ; the Lord's power 
did so prevail over them, that several were convinced 
of the Truth, and afterwards became faithful Friends. 

" An Epistle to Friends in Barbadoes, dec. 
" Dear Friends, Brethren, and Sisters, 

" For whom we are concerned in true brotherly 
love,- wherewith God, in his rich mercy hath filled our 
hearts, unto all the sons and daughters of men ; but 
more especially to the household of faith, who hath 
been gathered by his eternal power : the salutation 
of our love in the Lord Jesus Christ tenderly flows 
forth unto you all j desiring you all to keep down to 
your gifts which God hath given you ; waiting low 
in his fear, to feel the operation of his living power, 
to tender all your hearts and open them unto the 
Lord ; that your spirits may be truly bowed and sub- 
jected unto God's will, which is your sanctification, 
where the springs of God's love will flow, and his life 
run from vessel to vessel, and the life of innocency 
flourish amongst you, and the Lord will put his own 
comeliness upon you, and cover you with his Spirit ; 
and your delight will be to feel the overshadowing 
of his presence. And here self will be had in no 
reputation, but denied by all, and your delight be 
under the cross, which is the power of God, whereby 
you will be crucified to the world, and the world 
unto you. So will the Lord delight to visit your 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



39 



assemblies with his living presence, and fill your 
hearts with love to himself, and one to another, 
whereby your hearts will be kept tender and humble 
watching one over another for good, and none for 
evil. That eye that watches for evil, must be plucked 
out ; for wherever it is, it doth offend. 

" All give up your hearts to God, to be kept by his 
power in fellowship with him ; then will your fellow- 
ship be sweet one with another, being made partakers 
of the saints' fellowship, who wrote one to another, 
that they might have sweet fellowship together ; and 
their fellowship was with the Father, and with his 
Son Christ Jesus. So will you know all things that 
offend, to be cast out of the kingdom : and you will 
be tender one over another, the strong lending a 
hand of help to the weak ; and be of Moses's mind, 
who wished that all the people were prophets, and 
would not leave a hoof behind in Egypt ; and not of 
the mind of him, that would have had Moses forbid 
Eldad and Medad to prophesy in the camp, Numb, 
xi. 26, 27, &c, nor of the mind of Pharaoh and the 
Egyptians, that would have only the men to go and 
sacrifice to the Lord, but the women and children to 
stay and not go to sacrifice. But Moses wished that 
all the Lord's people were prophets, and that he 
would put his Spirit upon them • and women and 
children all must go ; and it is the mind of Christ, our 
spiritual Moses, that all, both male and female, 
should come up in their places. And Jacob was 
tender and careful, not to overdrive the flock, lest 
those with young should be hurt, and so come to 
miscarry, which ought to be a caution to us. Thereby 
learn to keep to the Lord's Spirit, and wait for wis- 
dom from him, that you may be guided thereby, in 
your gifts and places in the church of Christ : and 



40 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



so build up one another in the most holy faith, 
stirring up one another to love and good works; that 
wisdom may be justified of her children, and " your 
lights shine before men, that they seeing your good 
works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven." 
Matt. v. 16. And be ye as a city set upon a hill, 
where elder men will grow sound in the faith and in 
charity, teaching the younger men to be sober- 
minded ; and likewise the " aged women, that they 
be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false ac- 
cusers, but teachers of good things, that they may 
teach the younger women to be sober, to love their 
husbands, to love their children, to be chaste, keepers 
at home, that the word of God be not blasphemed," 
Titus ii. 2 : " and that their adorning should not be 
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wear- 
ing of gold, or putting on of apparel ; but let it be 
the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not 
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet 
spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price ; for 
after this manner the holy women of old adorned 
themselves, who trusted in God." — 1 Pet. iii. 3. So 
all that keep to God's Spirit must mind those things, 
and labour to keep their children out of pride, and 
the foolish fashions that are in the world, which 
youth are apt to run into, and covet after, and to take 
liberty one by another. 

" You that are parents of children, take Abraham 
for an example j of whom God gave testimony, that 
he would command his household after him. So all 
are to wait for power from God, and stand in your 
authority in your families ; and not indulge your 
children when they are young, and deck them in the 
fashions of the world, as soon as they can go, and let 
them speak the language of the world, as soon as 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



41 



they can speak, without reproving them, and let 
them go to accompany with the world, without re- 
straining them : which things we have seen to our 
great grief ; they have brought bitter mourning to 
our souls, considering the floodgate of iniquity they 
open to youth. 

" Therefore, as those who feel a concern upon our 
spirits for the Truth, and your good, and your chil- 
dren's also, we are drawn forth in tender love, to 
desire you to mind the Truth and the power of it, 
and be taught by it ; and then we know you will be 
concerned to see those things amended, where they 
have been amiss ; and we know there are many under 
a concern with our souls in this matter, which hath 
been weighty upon our spirits. Therefore in true 
love we visit you with these lines ; desiring the Lord 
may fill you with love and zeal for his name and 
Truth, that you may be valiant for it upon the earth, 
and in your testimonies for God, and against all that 
would defile the camp of God and bring his wrath 
upon us, or cause him to withdraw his holy presence 
from us, which hath given us life, and separated 
us from the world's ways, worships, customs, and 
fashions. Now as God hath separated us, we are to 
keep to him, that he may keep us so separated, that 
we may never join with those things again ; for if 
we do so join, we shall incur his displeasure, as Israel 
did, when they joined themselves with the inha- 
bitants of the land, which the Lord had commanded 
they should not do, and brought God's wrath upon 
them. Hereby we may take warning not to commit 
the like evil, in suffering our minds to wander from 
the Lord, and join with the world in their ways, 
worships, customs, and fashions ; or to marry with 
them, which was expressly forbidden in the time of 



42 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



the first covenant, and also by the apostle in the 
second covenant, who said, " Be not unequally yoked 
with unbelievers," &c. 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15. So you may 
see God's people were to " dwell alone, and not to 
mix with other nations," Numb, xxiii. 9 : and while 
they did so dwell, the Lord wonderfully blessed 
them, so that Balaam could not curse them, nor any 
enchantment prevail against them ; but their strength 
was as the strength of a lion and a unicorn, and their 
enemies were a prey to them. But when they com- 
mitted whoredom with the daughters of Moab, and 
joined themselves unto Baalpeor, the Lord's wrath 
was kindled against them, so that twenty-three thou- 
sand died of the plague, which the Lord sent amongst 
them. 

" Oh ! that your zeal may appear in a gospel way, 
as Phineas's did, according to that legal covenant, to 
the appeasing God's anger ; that ye may know the 
Lord to make his covenant of peace with you, and 
that it may abide with you for ever. For truly, God 
is jealous of his own glory, and will have a clean 
people to serve him in sincerity and uprightness ; clear 
of all mixtures, and linsey-woolsey garments, which 
are not to be worn in this gospel day, wherein the 
Lord hath been great in his mercy and love, in 
causing his glorious light to shine, and giving us the 
knowledge of himself. Therefore let our care be, to 
keep in his fear, that we may walk before him in 
humility, worthy of those mercies and blessings ; that 
God in all things may be glorified, and our peace 
preserved with him. Amen. 

" So [we] remain your friends and brethren in the 
Truth, 

" Thomas Wilson, 
" James Dickinson." 
« Antigua, 14th of the Tenth Month, 1692." 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



43 



" Let copies of this be sent to Friends in Rhode 
Island, Long Island, East and West Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Carolina, and New 
England." 

We passed from Antigua to the island of Nevis ; 
and when near it had a consultation whether to go 
in on the north or south side thereof ; and by the 
favourable direction of Divine Providence for our 
preservation, we went in on the south side, where 
we heard that a French privateer, that lay on the 
north side of the island, had taken a vessel about 
the same time. We staid several weeks in that 
island, had sundry good meetings therein, and 
good service for the Lord. Many of the inhabi- 
tants had been visited with a mortal distemper, 
of which many were taken away, as they told us. 
There had been four priests on the island before ; 
but when we came, there was but one of them living : 
he was a great drunkard and a swearer ; and when 
the inhabitants came to our meetings, and were 
reached by the Lord's power, so that they confessed 
to the Truth, then this wicked priest was very angry, 
and told them he would come and dispute with 
us at our meeting on the First day. This being 
spread through the island, many of the inhabitants 
of great note came to the meeting, though the priest 
did not come, but went to the governor to inform 
him against us. We had a large meeting, in which 
the everlasting gospel was proclaimed amongst them, 
and all were warned to repent of their sins, and turn 
to the light of Jesus Christ. Many hearts were 
reached : one that was a justice of the peace confessed 
to the Truth ; he also wrote to the governor on our 
behalf. 



u 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



" An Epistle to Friends in Philadelphia. 
" Dear Friends, 

" Our dear love in the holy Truth, tenderly 
salutes you all. By this know, we received a letter 
from New York, and were glad to hear of your wel- 
fare, and the Lord's appearance amongst you in your 
general meeting, and prevailing by his presence and 
power upon your spirits, to the tendering of them 
before him ; a state which was never rejected of 
him. 

"The God of our life keep you all an inward people ; 
that the weight of his power may be upon your souls, 
that you may learn in true silence and stillness, where 
the divine mysteries of his kingdom are daily opened ; 
and the mystery of iniquity you will see through, and 
not be ignorant of the wiles of Satan : but abiding in the 
light, they will be clearly discovered, and you will be 
pressing after the life of innocency, whereunto God 
hath called you, and which must wear the crown. 
They who are most in favour with him, make it their 
habitation, labouring to have their own spirits 
silenced, and daily depend upon God's teaching. It 
was our glory in years past to learn in silence, which 
is since too much neglected by many professors of 
Truth, upon whom a light, frothy spirit has pre- 
vailed ; having a life in disputes, arguments, and 
words, to little purpose, but amusing and perverting 
the mind, which ought to be staid upon God, who is 
the strength and stay of his people, keeping them in 
perfect peace, whose minds are staid upon him. But 
such who run into disputes in their own wills and 
imaginations, depart from the Truth, the sure founda- 
tion, and the light whereunto our minds were at first 
turned ; in which all that walk therein, to this day, 
are preserved, in sweet fellowship one with another ; 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



45 



and their unity in the spirit and light of the Lord 
Jesus Christ increaseth with him, and one with 
another ; being weighty in spirit, not easily moved. 
Such see that all the disputes and arguments, even 
concerning religious matters, which proceed from the 
will of man, not of God's Spirit, are but as froth 
and chaff, that will not abide God's fan, but be blown 
away by the whirlwind of his wrath. 

" Therefore all your safety is and will be to keep 
inward to the Lord, that he may be your teacher, your 
own spirits being silenced ; waiting with delight to 
hear what he speaks ; and then if he be pleased to 
open any of your mouths for the edification one 
of another, it will be in his power and wisdom from 
above, that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and 
easy to be entreated ; in which you may build up one 
another in the most holy faith. But those that go 
into a passionate, hasty spirit, go out of the wisdom 
which is from above, into that which is from below ; 
and the wrath of man cannot work the righteousness 
of God. 

" So all keep down in your own gifts, inward to the 
Lord, who will fit you for his service, and guide you 
in his wisdom to hit the mark aimed at, and preserve 
you in the living faith delivered unto you, of which 
Christ Jesus our Lord is the author; and whereby 
you may live, (as did the just in every generation) to 
the glory of God ; and being, by his power, made as 
the weighty wheat, be gathered into the garner of his 
salvation, when those who run out with frothy notions 
of their own imaginations, will be as chaff or dead 
men before the Lord. 

" Our souls have been often concerned for you, in 
these parts of the world, that you may be kept by 
the power of God ; unto whom we leave you, desiring 



46 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



your prayers for our preservation in the holy Truth, 
wherein we remain your friends and brethren, 

" Thomas Wilson, 
" James Dickinson." 

"Nevis, the 4th of Twelfth Month, 1692-3." 

Now being clear of this island, our names were 
put up at a public pi ace, as the law required, [as 
notice] of our going off the island, and certificates 
written, and carried by a Friend to the governor to 
be signed by him ; but he would not, for he had 
been much enraged by the priest, and threatened, 
that he would put us in the fort, and see us before 
we should depart. So we took horses, and went with 
the master of the ship, with whom we had taken our 
passage, to the governor's house. He appeared very 
angry with us, and said, We were spies, come to spy 
out the strength of the island. We told him, We 
were no spies, but true men ; and to satisfy the 
governor, we showed him a pass that had the secre- 
tary's seal on it, which we had at our coming out 
of England, wherein all governors and officers were 
commanded to let us pass. When he saw the broad 
seal, his countenance fell, and he asked us why 
we had not showed it him before? We replied, 
We had not shewed it then, but for his satisfaction 
that we were not spies, but true men ; and further 
told him, we came in the love of God to visit our 
Friends and the inhabitants of the island. Then 
he signed the certificate, and called for a bottle 
of wine to drink with the captain and us ; but we 
would not drink any with him, for we were deeply 
bowed under the sense of God's goodness to us ; who 
had not only drawn us into his service, but also had 
made way for us, and wrought Our deliverance. For 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



47 



in the latitude of Bermudas a tornado came, which 
is a gust of storm, (our top-sails being a-trip,) and 
laid the vessel on one side like a log of wood, and 
it remained so for some time ; in which time the glory 
of the Lord did so shine upon us, that the fear of 
death was clearly taken away, and our hearts were 
filled with the joy of God's salvation. 

Now being clear of our service for the Lord in 
America, we took shipping from Nevis homeward, 
and in about six weeks' time landed in the Highlands 
of Scotland. We travelled from thence by land into 
Cumberland, where we had some meetings, and 
Friends greatly rejoiced at seeing us, they having 
heard that we were taken by the French. From 
hence we travelled up to the Yearly Meeting at 
London, having some meetings in our way thither : 
we had a very blessed Yearly Meeting, Friends being 
in great love and unity, and greatly rejoiced to see 
us, as we did to see them ; and there is great thank- 
fulness in my soul to the Lord, for his manifold 
favours and preservation both by sea and land. 



48 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



CHAPTER III. 

Visits to Oxfordshire and some western counties ; to Ireland and 
Wales — His Marriage and Removal to Ireland — Further reli- 
gious service in England and Ireland — His second visit to 
America — Visits to various parts of England and Ireland — 
Epistle to Friends of Mountmelick — His Illness and Death — 
Copy of a Manuscript. 

After the Yearly Meeting in London was over, I 
went, accompanied by Thomas Story,* through 
Oxfordshire, and so to Bristol, where we met with 

* Thomas Story resided at Justice Town, near Carlisle — At 
this time he had not appeared in the ministry, but afterwards 
travelled much and was largely engaged in that service. His 
Journal contains the following particulars respecting this 
journey : — 

" We set forward from London the 24th day of the Fourth 
Month, and that day had a meeting at Uxbridge ; and on the 
26th at Wycombe, and so by Oxford, where we had a comfortable 
meeting ; for though many of the collegians were there, who used 
to be rude in an extraordinary manner, yet the invisible power of 
the word of life being over them, at that time, they were quiet 
under the testimony thereof, in the authoritative ministry of 
Thomas Wilson. Many of them were struck with amazement 
and surprise, and their eyes were filled with tears ; so that 
several of the elder sort retired, but in a decent manner, as if to 
hide the effect of Truth, which, if they had staid, could not have 
been concealed ; but above all the rest, a young man, a very 
comely youth, who, by his appearance and behaviour, seemed to 
be the son of some noble person, was most deeply affected." 
Leaving Oxford, they had several meetings in their way to 
Bristol. "Here," (T. S. continues), "the Lord gave us glorious 
times, in the sensible enjoyment of his divine and soul-melting 
presence, to our general and mutual consolation : (for in those 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



49 



Thomas Camm and Joseph Baynes.* Thomas Camm 
being inclined to stay some time longer in Bristol, 
Joseph Baynes went with us into Wiltshire and some 
western parts, where we had many good and blessed 
meetings. But at Warminster the people were con- 
tending with Friends, and we had two large meet- 
ings amongst them, wherein the Lord's tendering 
power broke in among them ; so that many were 
reached, and went away well satisfied. After having 
spent some time in those parts, we returned to 

days Friends were near the Lord, and one another in him :) the 
canopy of his love was over us, and we rejoiced together therein, 
but with holy fear and with trembling ; and had often occasion 
to say concerning the way of the Lord, as of old, and with 
respect to his noble servant, that ' He maketh his angels spirits, 
and his ministers a flame of fire :' for so he was indeed, in an 
eminent manner to the churches where he came in this visit, as 
generally elsewhere at other times.'" 

* Joseph Baynes resided at Killing-ton in Westmoreland. 
He was convinced of the Truth as professed by Friends, in the 
year ] 652, under the ministry of George Fox ; and some consider- 
able time afterwards, was himself called to that service. During 
many years of the latter part of his life, he travelled much in 
this nation, and laboured earnestly to promote love and unity 
amongst Friends. He suffered joyfully the spoiling of his goods, 
and endured many imprisonments with stedfastness and great 
patience, for his testimony against the anti-christian yoke of 
tithes, and on other accounts for Truth's sake ; being truly 
thankful that the Lord had counted him worthy to suffer for his 
name. He deeply lamented the prevalence of false liberty 
amongst the youth in his day, and bore this impressive testimony 
concerning their faithful predecessors. ' By the power of Truth 
we were made willing to put off all superfluity in eating and 
drinking and wearing of apparel; our words [were] ft w and 
savoury ; for the Lord^s dread icas before our eyes, and our peace 
with him was precious to us ; which we, through obedience to the 
grace of God in our hearts, enjoyed.'' He died in the year 1714, 
aged 81 years. — See Piety Promoted, part vi. 

E 



50 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Bristol, where leaving Joseph Baynes with Thomas 
Camm, Thomas Story and I went northward for 
Cumberland, having many good meetings in our way 
thither. [After this journey] I staid at home a 
while, following my outward employment, saving 
that now and then I visited friends about in that 
county. 

In the fall of the year 1694, 1 had some drawings 
to visit Friends in Ireland ; and William Greenup 
having the like concern, we travelled together through 
some part of Scotland, having service thereaway ; 
then took shipping at Port-Patrick, and landed at 
Donaghadee, in the North of Ireland. We visited 
Friends generally in that nation, and also had several 
meetings amongst other people. We had a pros- 
perous journey, the Lord's blessed presence and power 
accompanying us in his service ; and the wars being 
newly over, there was a great openness in the people, 
and tenderness amongst Friends. 

About the beginning of the Second Month, 1695, I 
returned from Ireland, and landed at Whitehaven in 
Cumberland, where I made but little stay at home, 
having a concern to be at the Yearly Meeting in Wales, 
to be held at Dolobran ; so travelled pretty directly 
thither. In this meeting, the Lord's good presence 
and power were enjoyed, to Friends' comfort and 
refreshment. After it was over I travelled to Bristol, 
and staid some months there ■ and from thence to 
London, and was at the Yearly Meeting there ; soon 
after which I returned into the north. 

In the fall of this year, I married Mary, the daughter 
of Thomas Bewley, of Wood- Hall, in Cumberland, 
who proved a true help-meet indeed to me. Soon 
after my said marriage, I found freedom in the Truth 
to remove with my wife into Ireland to dwell ; which 



OF THOMAS "WILSON. 



•V! 



I did, and settled near Edenderry, in the King's 
county. 

Some time after my said removal into Ireland, I 
found drawings from the Lord to visit Friends in 
England; and in the fall of the year 1696, took 
shipping from Dublin, and landed at Holyhead. I 
travelled through some part of Wales, and thence 
into Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Bristol and 
London, where I visited the meetings of Friends 
thoroughly ; from thence into Surrey and Sussex, and 
visited the meetings of Friends there ; then returned 
to London, where I had some further service for the 
Lord. Thence I passed northward through Hert- 
fordshire, Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, and so into 
Yorkshire, travelling along the sea coast as far as 
Newcastle, and from thence across the country to 
Carlisle, having had many refreshing seasons in this 
journey amongst Friends. After having visited 
Friends' meetings in Cumberland, I went to White- 
haven, in order to take shipping ; but in the time of 
my waiting for a passage, had a very large meeting 
there without doors, in which the word of life was 
declared amongst them, and the meeting ended well. 
I landed in Ireland in the Twelfth Month, and soon 
after returned home, where 'I found my wife well, 
which was a great satisfaction to me. 

Soon after I came home, I found drawings to visit 
Friends in this nation of Ireland ; which I did accord- 
ingly, and had meetings in many places amongst 
other people, where none had been before, nor any 
meetings of Friends settled ; and many were con- 
vinced, of whom some received the Truth in the love 
of it, and continued faithful thereunto. From the 
year 1697 to 1713, I often visited Friends in this 
nation, and also in the nation of England ; within 

B 



52 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



which space I was seven times at the Yearly Meeting 
in London, the Lord's good power accompanying me 
in his service. 

Now I having had it upon me from the Lord for a 
considerable time to visit Friends again in America, my 
dear ancient friend and companion James Dickinson 
signified to me by a letter, that he had a like con- 
cern to visit Friends again in those parts ; whereof I 
was truly glad ; for we had often travelled together 
in great love, unity, and sweetness. So we agreed to 
meet in Dublin, which we did accordingly ; and thence 
took shipping for America in the Tenth Month, 1713. 
The name of the captain of the vessel was Richard 
Kelsey, of Whitehaven, in Cumberland. 

We took our voyage north about ; and after I had 
seen the captain's diligent care and good conduct in 
his ship amongst his servants, and those on board, it 
drew my heart towards him in very much love, and 
gave me encouragement to take the freedom of having 
some religious discourse with him, wherein I found 
he aimed at justice and equity, so that my love 
increased towards him ; and he being a man frequent 
in prayer, we entered into discourse on the substan- 
tial part of prayer. I told him, We could not pray 
at all times in words, knowing our own insufficiency, 
but waited for the assistance of the Holy Spirit to 
help us and guide our understanding ; having regard 
to what the apostle said, " I will pray with the 
Spirit, and with the understanding also," — 1 Cor. 
xiv. 15, which might be inwardly performed, although 
no words were outwardly spoken. To which he 
readily assented, and told us, We might keep our 
meetings in the great cabin at any time when they 
did not keep theirs, and said, He thought we did 
pray inwardly. JNow, though we had a storm in this 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



53 



passage for near a month together, yet the captain's 
prudent management of the ship, and shewing him- 
self so very respectful to us all along, and the good 
conversation we had together, made our voyage much 
the pleasanter. 

On the Seventh day of the week, at night, the 
captain told us we should find the soundings next 
day, which we did accordingly about noon ; then he 
told us, that if the gale stood, we should reach the 
cape that evening : so sailing on till near night, we 
were within about seven or eight fathom water ; but 
night coming on, he wisely stood out to sea, and in a 
short time we got into Lynhaven Bay, having been 
nine weeks in our passage from the sight of Ireland. 
After a little stay in that harbour, we sailed on until 
we came into Rappahannoc River, and thence went 
ashore at Queen Anne's Town, where we parted with 
our kind captain in great love. He would have us 
take some of our provision, and gave us much loving 
counsel, which we accepted kindly. 

We landed at Queen Anne's Town, and hired horses 
from thence to York River ; next day took boat to 
the western shore, from whence we contentedly took 
our travel on foot into the woods, having our saddles, 
saddle-bags, and great coats upon our shoulders. 
After a little time, seeing a man at a distance, riding 
towards us, James Dickinson said, * Who knows but 
yonder man is coming to help us V Who, when he 
came up, knew James, and cheerfully said, ' I had 
best alight, and take your things upon my horse 
this we kindly accepted of, and he went along with 
us to James Bates's house, who received us very 
kindly, his wife having been convinced by James 
Dickinson, and was a faithful Friend. It being their 
weekly meeting day, we went along with them to the 



54 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



meeting, and had a good time with the few Friends 
there. 

We travelled from thence through Virginia to 
North Carolina, having many good meetings amongst 
Friends and other people, many being glad to see us 
again in that country. We found a hopeful genera- 
tion of young people there, who received the testimony 
of Truth with gladness. Having visited their meetings 
thoroughly, and had a good time amongst them, we 
returned into Virginia, and visited Friends up James 
River, and so by Black Creek, towards Maryland. 
After having had good service for the Lord in those 
parts, and several good meetings in our way, we 
visited Friends on the western shore of Maryland, 
and found great openness both amongst them and the 
people. From thence we went over the bay, and 
visited Friends on the eastern, shore, and in the 
lower counties of Pennsylvania, and so to Salem, in 
West Jersey ; the Lord's good presence attending us 
from meeting to meeting. We staid the Yearly 
Meeting at Salem, which was very large ; the Lord's 
power was eminently manifested therein, and the 
doctrine of Truth was largely opened to the people. 
Thus having visited Friends on the east side of 
Pelaware River, we went over to Philadelphia, and 
visited the meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, which 
were very large, many sober people nocking to them j 
unto whom the testimony of Truth flowed forth in the 
word of life, to the opening of the understandings of 
many. 

From Pennsylvania we crossed over Delaware 
River again, and travelled through the country to 
Shrewsbury. In our way thither a Baptist preacher 
came up to us, and directing his speech to me, said, 
he would ask me a question I bid him, say on ; — 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



55 



then said he, ' My question is, What is the ordination 
and qualification of a true minister of Jesus Christ?' 
—To which I answered, 1 The apostle saith, " As every 
man hath received the gift, even so minister the same 
one to another, as good stewards of the manifold 
grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as 
the oracles of God ; if any man minister, let him do 
it as of the ability which God giveth : that God in 
all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ." — 
1 Peter iv. 10. 11. I further said mildly to him, 
' Thou mayst see that the ability of a true minister 
is in the divine gift.' — Then he said, ' I have another 
question to ask, which is this, Can any man that 
hath this divine gift, positively deny the command of 
our Lord Jesus Christ V — To which I replied, ' That 
no man that was faithful to his holy gift, durst deny 
the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.' — 'But,' said 
he, 'You do.' — Then, said I, ' How earnest thou to charge 
me thus? What hast thou seen by me, to charge me 
with denying the commands of Jesus Christ?'— 'I know,' 
said he, ' you are a Quaker, and that all the Quakers 
deny the positive command of Jesus Christ.'— I an- 
swered, ' Thou hast charged boldly, now thou must 
prove in what we deny them. 5 — He said, ' You deny 
water-baptism, which Jesus Christ commanded to be 
an ordinance in his church to the end of the world.' — 
I told him, He must prove his assertion, for I did 
not understand that ever Jesus Christ gave any 
commands to his ministers to baptize in elementary 
water ; I desired him again, to prove what he had 
asserted. Then he began to repeat many Scriptures, 
quoting chapter and verse. I patiently heard him, 
until he had gone on a great while ; and I seeing he 
had wrested the Scriptures, told him he must now 
make a full stop, till the company came up, for my 



56 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



companion had a Bible in his pocket, and we would 
read the places (or texts) which he had mentioned, 
and any other he had yet to name. So standing 
still, they soon came up to us, and the Bible being 
called for, it was given into the hands of a young 
man, who was desired to read all those texts which 
the Baptist had urged to prove water-baptism a com- 
mand of Jesus Christ, to be a standing ordinance in 
the church. After he had named many texts, they 
were read to him one by one ; but finding no text 
to make good his charge, I told him he had wronged 
the Scripture in adding thereto, ' which,' said I, ' is 
dangerous, for we read in the Revelations, xxii. 18, 
" If any man shall add unto these things, God shall 
add unto him the plagues that are written in this 
book."' After which I opened unto him the true 
baptism of Jesus Christ, which is with the Holy Ghost 
and with fire ; as John said, Matt. iii. 11. The Truth 
came over him, and we parted very friendly. He 
came to the meeting next day, and was silent. 

From Shrewsbury we travelled to Woodbridge and 
New York, and thence to Long Island, where we 
staid the Yearly Meeting, which was a large and 
blessed meeting. From thence we went by water to 
Rhode Island, and was at their Yearly Meeting in the 
Fourth Month, wherein the power and the glory of the 
Lord did very much appear, and the universal love of 
God was held forth to the satisfaction of the people. 

We went from thence to Taunton, where no Friends' 
meeting was settled, nor do we know that any had 
ever been there before ; to this meeting several sober 
people came, who were open to receive the testimony 
of Truth, and some were convinced ; since which 
a meeting is settled there. From thence we went to 
Dartmouth, where James left me, and went to the 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



57 



Island of Nantucket ; but we met again at Sand- 
wich, and travelled together through the country to 
Boston, where we had some service for the Lord, both 
amongst Friends and other people. 

From Boston we went to Lynn, and thence to 
Salem, so to the eastern parts of New England,* as 

* The circumstances related in the following extract from a 
Manuscript, in the collection at Devonshire-house, London, appear 
to have occurred in the course of this visit to New England. 
The name of the writer is not subscribed. 

" In the year 1714, our worthy friends, Thomas Wilson and 
James Dickinson, came into this province on a religious visit to 
the churches. I was present at a meeting they had at Plymouth, 
which, on account of the great gathering of people, was held 
under the trees. Thomas, in the exercise of his gift in the 
ministry, was led to treat on several subjects, which, making 
great impression on my mind at that time, and tending to confirm 
me in the faith I made open profession of, I still remember. 
[Among other things,] he spake largely on the passage of the 
" captive maid," in respect to her service to her lord and master, 
[2 Kings v. 2 — 4], and in a powerful manner set forth the 
privileges which the true members of the church of Christ enjoyed 
under his peaceful government. He spoke prophetically concern- 
ing the work of sanctification some were under ; saying, the Lord 
would bring the faithful through all, to his glory and the solid 
comfort of the afflicted, though some might be, like David, in the 
horrible pit, &c. This and divers subjects [which] he mentioned, 
greatly affected me, and reached me in such a manner, that I 
was much broken ; and said in my heart, ' surely all here will 
be convinced of the principle of divine Truth this day ; and not 
only convinced, but converted by the eternal word of God unto 
the true faith of Christ our Lord, who came to seek and to save 
all who should believe in his pure name !' I thought none could 
withstand the doctrine preached, it being with great power and 
divine authority ; not as that of the scribes and hireling priests. 

" The Friends at whose house they were to dine, insisted on 
my going with them; and as this was on my way home, I (with 
fear and trembling) complied. Being sat down in the house, 
Thomas Wilson fixed his eyes upon me, which made me conclude 



58 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



far as Dover ; and after having visited Friends there, 
returned back by way of Boston to the Yearly Meeting 
at Providence, where we had good service for Truth. 
Thence we travelled through the country until we 
came to Rhode Island again, having had several meet- 
ings in our way, and found great openness in divers 
places. So after some stay in Rhode Island, and 
having had several precious meetings amongst them, 
we parted from Friends there in great love and ten- 
derness, and returned by water to Long Island, where 
we had some stay in visiting Friends' meetings, and 
found a great openness amongst them. 

From Long Island we went to New York, where 
we had a large and blessed meeting ; the people who 
were not Friends confessed to the Truth. We re- 
turned from thence to Woodbridge, and through 
Jersey to Pennsylvania again; and after having some 
meetings amongst Friends, went to the Yearly Meet- 
ing at Burlington, which was very large, and held 
several days ; in which meeting the Lord's blessed 
power was richly manifested. After which, we re- 
turned to Philadelphia, and went from thence by 

that he saw something in me wrong : upon which I arose and 
went out, being much affected ; hut heard him say, ' What young 
woman is that ? she is like the little captive maid I have been 
speaking of this day ; may the God of my life strengthen her ! 
she will meet with sore trials ; but if she is faithful, the Lord will 
fit her for his service.' He further remarked, ' He saw the Lord 
was at work in me for good, and would in his time bring through 
all.'' These hints have since been of service to me when almost 
overwhelmed in trouble, and I think should never be forgotten. 
I do not mention them in ostentation, but bow in awful re- 
verence, as with my mouth in the dust, rendering to the great 
Author of all our mercies, adoration and praise : may it be now 
given unto him and for ever ! Amen." 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



50 



way of Newcastle, to the Yearly Meeting at Chop- 
tank, on the eastern shore of Maryland ; which 
meeting was held in the Eighth Month, and was very 
large ; many people, besides Friends, nocked to it, 
from several parts of the country, and the doctrine of 
Truth was largely opened to them. After this meet- 
ing we went into the lower counties of Pennsylvania, 
and had several meetings amongst Friends, in which 
we were greatly comforted : so returned again to 
Philadelphia, and spent some time in and about that 
city, having good service for the Lord, and had a 
farewell meeting with Friends at Chester; after 
which we hastened to Oxford, on the eastern shore 
of Maryland, in order to take shipping for Eng- 
land 

Soon after we came to Oxford, we agreed with the 
master of a vessel for our passage, the ship being 
bound for Liverpool ; but told him we had a desire 
to stay the First-day meeting. He said, if he did 
not fire a gun, we might stay ; and a little before the 
meeting began, he fired a gun, which gave us warn- 
ing to hasten aboard, although it was much contrary 
to our freedom, not being clear in our minds to leave 
the meeting • so we went on board. They set sail, 
but made little way that day ; and we soon per- 
ceived that as the master of the ship had endeavoured 
to cross us, the Lord crossed him ; for there arose a 
great storm that night, which continued several days, 
in which time the ship sprung a leak, which daunted 
them. Yet taking some courage again, they kept to 
sea : but the leak increased so fast, that they altered 
their course, and stood in again, and with some diffi- 
culty got to an anchor in Lynhaven Bay ; which 
brought a fresh engagement upon us of thankfulness 
to the Lord for so signal a preservation. Here the 
master concluded to unlade, that he might stop the 



60 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



leak, and told us we might go on shore and see our 
friends. 

We hired a boat, and sailed up the river, so put to 
shore at the house of a widow woman, a Presbyterian, 
who received us kindly. She said, she had heard of 
us, and that the New Testament made much for us. 
After we had eaten and drunk, we would have paid her, 
but she would take nothing from us ; and when she 
had shewed us a little on our way, we parted with 
her in a friendly manner. That night we got to a 
Friend's house, and afterwards amongst Friends in 
Virginia. My companion James Dickinson and one 
Robert Jordan took boat, went aboard the ship and 
brought off our things : the master then shewed him- 
self very respectful, and said, if we thought fit to 
come again, we should be very welcome, and if not, 
we might use our freedom. 

We travelled to and fro in Virginia, and through 
the country, until we came to the western shore of 
Maryland, having many blessed meetings ; Friends 
being very glad to see us, and thankful to the Lord 
for our late preservation. We also went over the 
bay, and had a meeting with Friends at the same 
place where the captain would not suffer us to stay 
before. After this meeting we were free in our 
spirits to return, being thankful to God for his mani- 
fold preservations. In a little time after, we took 
shipping in another vessel, and landed at Cork, in 
Ireland, where we staid a meeting on the Sixth-day 
of the week. After meeting we went to Clogheen, 
and the next day to James Hutchinson's, where we 
lodged that night, and rode next morning to Mount- 
melick, where the Province meeting for Leinster was 
then held. We went into the meeting, Friends being 
gathered before we came ; and the pow r er of Truth 
broke in upon the meeting, whereby Friends' hearts 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



61 



were greatly tendered under a sense of the Lord's 
mercy in preserving us ; they not knowing any thing 
of our being landed until we came thither. 

Here I parted with my dear friend and com- 
panion, James Dickinson ; and as we had travelled 
together in great love and unity, we likewise parted 
in the same. He went to Dublin, in order to take 
shipping for Cumberland, and I returned home to my 
dear wife and family, being truly thankful that the 
Lord had brought us together again. 

I staid a little time at home ; and then our Half- 
year's Meeting coming on at Dublin, I went thither ; 
and from thence to London, in company with Friends 
appointed to attend the service of the Yearly Meeting 
there. We had several good meetings in our way ; 
and the Lord's power was eminently manifested in 
this Yearly Meeting. After which I left the city, 
and returned northward by way of Coventry, and so 
for Ireland ; and found my dear wife and children 
well, to my great satisfaction. 

After some stay about home, I visited Friends' 
meetings up and down in the nation, as I found 
drawings in the love of Truth. 

In the year 1721, I found a concern upon my 
spirit, to go for England in the service of Truth ; 
and after our Half-year's Meeting in Dublin, took 
shipping thence in company with John Barcroft* and 

* (t John Barcroft resided near Edenderry in Ireland. He 
was the first Friend who came to settle in that neighbourhood 
after the wars, and was very helpful at that time to encourage a 
few families to meet together for divine worship. He proved 
himself very serviceable in that meeting, and it afterwards be- 
came large. When about 33 years of age, he was called 
to the ministry, and was a diligent and successful labourer for 
the good of souls, both in Ireland and England. His ministry 
was plain and lively ; nor was he forward to appear without real 



02 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



several other Friends, intending to be at the Yearly 
Meeting in London. After being two days at sea, the 
ship struck often on the sand in the night-time, so 
that we seemed in great danger of being lost ; but 
through the favour of Divine Providence were pre- 
served : in the morning, the tide being out, the ship 
lay aground, and we got out our horses, and went 
ashore in Wales. From thence we rode seventeen 
miles to Chester, and on to Whitchurch, where one of 
our company parted with us. So I and the rest tra- 
velled to Wolverhampton, and were at the meeting 
on the First day of the week : the next day we all 
met at Dudley, at a burial : from Dudley, I, with one 
other of our company, went to Stourbridge, and all 
met again at the Quarterly Meeting at Bromsgrove 
in Worcestershire. From thence we travelled together 
to Alcester, and so to Evesham and Shipston, at each 
of which two last places we had a meeting. We then 
travelled together to London, and were at the Yearly 
Meeting there, which was large and peaceable. After 
that meeting was over, I staid a little time in that 
city, and had some service for the Lord : then de- 
parted in company with John Barcroft, and travelled 
through Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire ; 

necessity. He was not slothful in his outward affairs, but 
managed them with discretion ; yet was fervent in spirit, freely 
given up to serve the Lord, his church and people ; and preferred 
the prosperity of Zion as his chief joy. His conversation greatly 
adorned his profession, being pleasant and cheerful, yet grave, 
meek, and humble, preferring others before himself ; a peace- 
maker, being singularly helpful in composing differences ; a useful 
helpmeet in the government of the church, and also ruling his 
own house well ; a frequent visitor of the sick, charitable, and 
given to hospitality. He died in the year 1723, being the 
sixtieth of his age, and about the twenty-seventh of his ministry." 
— See Rutty' $ History of Friends in Ireland. 



OP THOMAS WILSON. 



63 



thence to Bath, and so to Bristol, in which city we 
staid some time, and had several very precious 
meetings. I went from Bristol into some parts 
of Gloucestershire ; and when clear, returned to 
Bristol, and had some further service for the Lord. 
My dear friend John Barcroft, being indisposed, and 
feeble of body, I left him amongst his kind friends at 
Bristol, having some constraint upon me to fulfil the 
service that was before me. So I travelled westward, as 
far as the Land's End in Cornwall, having many very 
blessed meetings as I travelled along through the 
country. I visited Cornwall thoroughly, and was 
greatly comforted with Friends there, and found 
great openness amongst the people in divers places. 
I returned by Plymouth, Exeter, Bridport, Poole, and 
thence by the seacoast until I came to Dover, having 
had many refreshing meetings as I travelled through 
that country ; Samuel Hopwood* being with me. We 

* Samuel Hopwood was born at Tadcaster in Yorkshire, in 
the year 1674. He removed to Austle in Cornwall, in 1706, 
(having married a Friend of that place,) and resided there during 
the remainder of his life. He was of a serious disposition when 
young, and as he grew up, his mind became deeply impressed 
with the value and love of heavenly things. "When about 25 
years of age, he came forth in the work of the ministry, and 
travelled in that service, at various times, through a long course of 
years, viz : from the twenty-ninth to the eightieth year of his 
age. He visited many parts of England and Wales, was once in 
Scotland, three times in Ireland, and once in America. 

His Monthly Meeting, on receiving back the certificate liberating 
him for the service above briefly described, recorded the following 
minute: " This day our Friend Samuel Hopwood gave this 
meeting an account of his travels, in his last journey with Thomas 
Wilson, wherein they had good satisfaction, both among Friends 
and [others ;] finding an openness in them to receive Truth's 
testimony." In the year 1732, he attended the Yearly Meetings 
of Bristol and London, accompanied by his eon Alexander, a 



64 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



went from Dover to Canterbury, and so by Rochester 
to London. 

I staid in and about the city of London several 
•weeks, the Lord's presence and power attending nie 
in his work : from thence travelled into Hertfordshire, 
and had divers good meetings in that county, greatly 
to my satisfaction : then I returned to London, where 
I had again some comfortable meetings. Being clear 
of that city, I parted with Friends in great love and 
sweetness, and travelled through Essex to Colchester ; 
thence to Ipswich and Woodbridge, and through 
Suffolk into Norfolk, having many comfortable 
meetings as we travelled through that country ; 
Isaac Pickerell* of London, accompanying me. We 
had two very large meetings at Norwich, greatly to 
edification ; the word of eternal life being freely 
preached, whereby many hearts were tendered : so 
travelled through the country, until we came to Lynn, 
having divers good meetings in our way thither. I 
was very glad to meet with several who were con- 
promising youth, who soon after their return home, was taken ill 
of a fever and died — See an account of his peaceful close in 
Piety Promoted, part vii. Samuel Hopwood died in the year 
1760, aged 86, having been a minister 61 years. — From S. 
HopwoooV s MS. Journal, and Minutes of his Monthly Meeting, 

* Isaac Pickerell removed from London into the compass of 
Reading Monthly Meeting in the year 1723. According to the 
Testimony of that meeting, " he was a minister whose doctrine 
was sound, edifying and convincing. He visited in that character, 
most parts of Great Britain, and was well qualified and zealously 
concerned for maintaining the good order and wholesome discipline 
established in the church. He was very assisting by advice and 
otherwise to Friends in cases of difficulty, either of a civil or 
religious nature. A short time before his decease, he expressed 
his satisfaction in that he found his day's work was done, and 
that he had faithfully served the Lord, his church and people. 
He died in the year 1756, aged nearly 79, having been a minister 
about 53 years " 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



65 



vinced when I formerly travelled through that 
country. At Lynn I parted with Isaac Pickerell : 
he returned to London and I went northward. I 
travelled through Lincolnshire, Michael Williams 
going along with me to several meetings. I passed 
thence into Yorkshire, until I came to York, visiting 
Friends' meetings in the way. I made some stay at 
York, and had some service for the Lord ; from thence 
I crossed the country, and went to the Yearly Meeting 
in Wales, which was held at Llanidloes, having several 
meetings as I passed along the country. In this 
Yearly Meeting, the Lord's power and love was richly 
manifested, and I was greatly comforted amongst 
Friends there. After this meeting I went to Holy- 
head, and took shipping for Ireland, and in the Third 
Month, 1722,. returned home ; being truly thankful to 
the Lord, who had supported and enabled me, by his 
Divine Power, to answer his holy requirings. 

[It seems probable, from an expression in the 
following Epistle (without date), that it was written 
when the author was in the decline of life, and that, 
as respects order of time, it may be properly intro- 
duced in this place.] 

" To Friends of Mountmelick Mens Meeting, or 
elsewhere. 

" Dear Friends, 

"I have been for some years past, and more especially 
of late, under deep considerations respecting the state 
of Friends, and the affairs of Truth in general, and our 
Monthly Meeting in particular, which hath brought a 
weight of exercise upon my mind ; and doubting 
whether I may ever have an opportunity of seeing 
you, so as to ease myself of what remains as a con- 

F 



66 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



cern upon me, was willing to communicate these few 
lines for your weighty and serious consideration ; 
which are as follow : 

" That the order and government of the church was 
settled by the same Divine Spirit, which the true 
ministry sprung from ; and that all who speak in 
Men's Meetings should be careful they do not speak 
any thing to offend God, but wait to have their offer- 
ings seasoned with grace, and offered in the same 
Divine Spirit, by which the order and government of 
the church was first established. The doctrine of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ directed, that 
every one is to be salted with fire, and every sacrifice 
seasoned with salt ; (mark) the vessel is to be seasoned 
with the holy fire of the word of God, and sanctified 
by the Truth ; otherwise God will not accept of their 
offerings, any more than he did the offerings of Aaron's 
sons, who offered strange fire, which the Lord never 
commanded, and so brought death upon themselves. 
You may also observe, that when Moses was dead, who 
received the law from God's mouth, that Joshua was 
to succeed him in the same Spirit ; which plainly 
appears from the positive command of the Lord to 
him, that " he should be courageous, and observe and 
do according to all the law, which Moses the servant 
of the Lord commanded him ; he was not to depart 
therefrom, either to the right hand or to the left, 
that so he might prosper wherever he went." By 
which it is plain, the blessing is only to them who 
come up in the same Holy Spirit, which case is very 
applicable to Friends in this our day ; for it is unde- 
niable, that the weighty rules and order of the church 
were received in the beginning by our ancients and 
elders, from the opening of the Divine Spirit of 
Truths and settled in the counsel of God. And as 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



G7 



sure as ever Joshua was to succeed Moses, and to ob- 
serve all the law which was commanded him ; so are 
Friends now, who are of a succeeding generation, 
faithfully to keep and observe those weighty rules 
and precepts left them by their elders, without turn- 
ing from them either to the right hand or to the 
left : and it remains as a testimony in my heart for 
the Lord, to leave with you, That when any offer 
any thing in Men's Meetings which contradicts the 
ancient rules and divine precepts settled amongst us 
in the heavenly power, they contradict the very 
counsel of God, and it is but an offering of strange 
fire, which God never commanded, neither will 
accept of; and so they bring death over themselves, 
kindle strange fire in the meeting, dazzle the minds 
of Friends, and are hinderers of the work and service 
of Truth." 

I staid about home, sometimes visiting Friends' 
meetings that were near ; and in the Third Month, 
1724, I went to the Half-year's Meeting at Dublin, 
where I was greatly comforted amongst Friends in 
the feeling of that divine life and power, which is 
the crown and glory of our meetings. After this 
meeting, I returned home, and growing infirm of 
body, went little abroad to distant meetings ; but in 
the Ninth Month following, Friends of Leinster kept 
the Province Meeting at Edenderry, to which I went ; 
the Lord's power was richly manifested therein, and 
the affairs of Truth were managed in great love and 
sweetness. John Fothergill, from England, being 
there, had good service for the Lord. 

Now I rejoice in that I have served the Lord in 
my day ; and as I have laboured to promote the 
Truth in my generation, I feel great peace from the 

f 2 



C8 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Lord flowing in my soul; and am thankful that I 
have been made willing to serve him And as my 
dear wife, being a woman that truly fears God, hath 
freely given me up to answer the requirings of Truth, 
I hope she will have a share in that reward and peace 
whereof the Lord hath given me the earnest : and 
whereas I have deeply travailed both in body and 
spirit for the promotion of Truth in the earth, in a 
general way, so I have also often besought the Lord, 
that he would be pleased to reach effectually to my 
own children in particular, that they may be faithful 
witnesses for him in their generation. 



Our dear friend Thomas Wilson, being taken ill 
of body, about the 18th day of the Eleventh Month, 
in the year 1724, continued weakly for several 
months, in which time he uttered many weighty 
expressions ; and at several times was concerned in 
fervent prayer to the Lord for the young and rising 
generation, that they might be faithful witnesses for 
the Truth in their day. He was freely resigned to 
the will of God ; yet desiring of the Lord, if he had 
no further service for him, to remove him out of his 
pain, which at times was very great. 

When he was a little easy, he often spoke of the 
things of God, and was very much concerned that 
Friends should live agreeably to the doctrine of 
Christ ; also that the good order established amongst 
us by our faithful elders, might be kept up and 
maintained, and that all differences and disorders 
might be kept out of the church ; and said, If Friends 
kept the ancient path, and observed the Lord's rules, 
they woidd be a blessed people : expressing his satis- 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



09 



faction, That in all nations where he had travelled, 
he had been careful not to join with any that were 
for false liberty, or laying waste the testimony of 
Truth, which the Lord had called his people to 
bear. 

One evening, several Friends sitting with him, he 
was very sweetly and prophetically opened in words 
to this effect, viz : That a great harvest-day was 
coming over the nations, and that the Lord was 
fitting, and would fit many, and send them into the 
harvest • but said, he hoped in a little time to be 
gathered to the generations of the just that were 
gone before ; and was comforted to feel that Friends 
were inward with the Lord in their spirits ; expressing 
how near Truth made Friends one to another in the 
beginning, and that he was glad of the nearness and 
unity amongst Friends now, desiring it might continue 
and increase. 

At one time he was asked if he would have any 
thing to wet his mouth ; to which he replied to this 
effect, ' The Lord hath taken away all my pain, and 
given me the bread of life and the water of life, and 
quenched my thirst, which hath been great ; the will 
of the Lord be done { and fervently prayed to the 
Lord for his people, especially the youth, that he 
would be pleased to incline their hearts to follow 
him in the way of Truth. And soon after said to this 
effect, 'If the youth of this meeting and nation 
incline their hearts to the Lord above all, he will 
make them a shining people ; but if they do not, h 
will cast them off,' And again said, ' The Lord's 
goodness fills my heart, which gives me the evidence 
and assurance of my everlasting peace in his kingdom, 
with my ancient friends that are gone before me, with 
whom I had sweet comfort in the work of the gospel 



70 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



also said, ' Those that touch the Lord's work, and are 
not of clean hands, ivill not prosper. ' And notwith- 
standing our said Friend had been eminently attended 
with the power of Truth, and had great service many 
ways, he would speak very humbly of himself, ascrib- 
ing all the honour to the Lord. At a certain time he 
said to this effect, ' Although the Lord hath made use 
of me at times to be serviceable in his hand, what I 
trust in is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ and 
again, Friends sitting by him, he said, in like man- 
ner, 4 The Lord visited me in my young years, and I 
felt his power, which hath been with me all along, 
and I am assured he will never leave me, which is 
my comfort/ He also often expressed his desire, 
that Friends might dwell in humility, and keep loiu ; 
for that to his sorrow he had seen many who greiv high, 
come to ruin, both themselves and posterity, and their 
places left desolate. 

Near his conclusion, he often desired the Lord 
would give him an easy passage, which was granted : 
he was also preserved sensible to the last, and passed 
away without sigh or groan, as if he had been going 
to sleep, on the 20th day of the Third Month, 
1725. His remains were buried the 22nd of the 
same, accompanied by a great number of Friends 
and others ; when Friends had a good opportunity to 
bear testimony to that Divine Power, whereby he was 
raised up to be a faithful witness for the Truth in 
his generation. And though his removal is a great 
loss to his family in particular, aud the church in 
general, it is, no doubt, his everlasting gain. 



OF THOMAS WILSON. 



71 



Copy of a manuscript found amongst the papers of 
our deceased Friend Thomas Wilson, in his own 
handwriting, not printed in the two first editions of 
his J ournal . 

" As I was deeply exercised in my mind about 
the things of the living God, and the holy order of 
the blessed gospel of the Lord Jesus, it was opened 
to me, that all concerned Friends that speak in Men's 
Meetings, ought to wait for a due inward feeling of 
the heavenly gift ; and as that gives an understand- 
ing, then speak in, and minister in the order of 
Jesus, which is holy ; then all that [they] speak will 
be for promoting the way of Truth, and keeping all 
professors thereof in faithfulnesss and true obedience 
to the Lord. 

" I being thus in a travail of spirit, the state of 
Men's Meetings as they now are, was set before me ; 
and I saw three sorts of men speaking, and they 
were in three paths : — one sort was on the right hand, 
where they ran on in their own wills, and were very 
fierce for order, but not in a right spirit : they were 
the cause of long discourses, and greatly displeased 
the Lord and his faithful people. — I saw another 
path on the left hand, and there was a great dark- 
ness, and a stiff-necked people, that were for break- 
ing down the orders and good rules that the Lord 
has established in the church. — Then my soul was 
filled with sorrow and cries to the Lord, seeing the 
great danger both of these were in. — Then the Lord 
was pleased to show me a middle path ; and the 
Lord's people were in it, and had the strong line of 
-justice and true judgment ; the Lord's Holy Spirit 
and heavenly presence is their guide. 

" I am moved to warn all you who are stiff and 
sturdy in your own wills, to stand still, and turn in 



72 



LIFE AND TRAVELS OF THOMAS WILSON. 



your minds to the heavenly gift : in it is the true 
wisdom, and blessed knowledge ; and you will learn 
to know what the good and acceptable will of the 
Lord is ; and if you speak in the meeting, it will be 
to please God, and for his honour, not your own ; for 
you strive for honour in a carnal mind, and seek 
not the honour of the Lord, but are in great pre- 
sumption." 



A JOURNAL 



OF THE 

LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LABOURS OF LOVE, 

IN 

THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, 

OF THAT 

WORTHY ELDER AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF 
JESUS CHRIST, 

JAMES DICKINSON, 

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT MOORSIDE, IN CUMBERLAND, 
ON THE 6TH OF THE THIRD MONTH, 1741, IN THE 
EIGHTY-THIRD TEAR OF HIS AGE. 



TO THE READER, 



The Apostle John was instructed to write, 
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from- 
henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
rest from their labours ; and their works do follow 
them." — Rev. xiv. 13. And it is no ways strange that 
he should be instructed so to write, considering what 
is elsewhere said, that " Precious in the sight of the 
Lord is the death of his saints," — Psalm cxvi. 15 ; and 
that it is the end of all their labours, (and a blessed 
end it is indeed,) to which the crown is promised ; as 
was said to one of the churches, " Be thou faithful 
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." — 
Rev. ii. 10. This is to them an end of all their 
labours, jeopardies, hardships, and suiferings ; and 
they are landed safe in that much to be desired port, 
"where the wicked cease from troubling, and the 
weary are at rest." But then, if their labours are so 
acceptable to the Lord, and their works follow them, 
(for the reward is to be according to them, Matt. xvi. 
27, in that glorious kingdom they are entered into,) 
how precious ought they to be in the sight of his 
servants ! Even the remembrance of them ought not 
to be lost, but the fragments to be gathered up, that 
they may be transmitted to posterity for their imita- 



76 



TO THE READER. 



tion and encouragement ; and this not in any wise 
for the exalting of man, but that the Power whereby 
they have been raised up, preserved, and carried 
through, may be exalted. For this, even that Power, 
was their wisdom and their strength, and blessed are 
all they who put their trust in it ; that according to 
the example of the psalmist, one generation may 
praise his works to another, and declare his mighty 
acts, — Psal. cxlv. 4, even those mighty acts which the 
Lord hath wrought through his servants, whom he 
hath been pleased to raise up from a low estate, and 
to set among princes, even the princes of his people, 
and to declare the might of his arm. He is pleased 
to carry on his own work by mean instruments in the 
world's account, that no flesh might glory in his 
presence • as the apostle writes, " For ye see your 
calling, brethren ; how that not many wise men after 
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are 
called : but God hath chosen the foolish things of the 
world to confound the wise j and God hath chosen 
the weak things of the world to confound the things 
which are mighty; and base things of the world, 
and things which are despised, hath God chosen." — 
1 Cor. i. 26 — 28. And this hath been wonderfully 
made appear in this generation, and the generation 
preceding ; wherein God hath been pleased to carry 
on his glorious work of reformation, in causing the 
Gospel to be preached again, after a long night of 
darkness, by mean and illiterate instruments in the 
world's account ; by whom they have been, and still 
are, accounted as fools : and yet how mightily it 
hath pleased God to prosper his work in their hands, 



TO THE BEADEK, 



77 



to the gathering many souls near to himself, and into 
unity with his blessed Spirit, through their ministry. 
Of this number was our friend James Dickinson, the 
author of the ensuing journal, a man indefatigable 
in his labours and services for the edification of the 
church, and the good of souls ; whose ministry was 
not in the enticing words which man's wisdom 
teacheth, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and 
of power, and in that wisdom which the Holy^ Ghost 
teacheth ; and was effectual to the convincing and 
gathering many, and settling them upon the rock 
Christ Jesus, and under his teaching, who is the 
foundation of all the righteous generations ; in whom 
all such who believe shall not be ashamed, nor shall 
be any " more strangers and foreigners, but fellow- 
citizens with the saints, and of the household of 
God," as saith the apostle, Bph. ii. 19. 

And reader, if thou peruse the following account 
of the services and labour of love of this man of 
God, with an unprejudiced mind, and with a desire 
to be informed and helped forward in thy spiritual 
journey, thou wilt, no doubt, reap advantage by it, 
and be encouraged to press forward ; and it will be to 
thee a savour of life unto life ; that is, the savour of 
life that will attend thee in the reading of it, if thou 
read it with a single eye, will tend to promote the 
same life in thy soul, and thou wilt desire, accordiog 
to thy measure, to be found walking in faithfulness 
towards God : for this is that which can only recom- 
mend to him j and thus will the end of the labour 
of his faithful servants be answered. 

And if thou find any thing which seems not so 



78 



TO THE READER. 



clearly and fully set forth, or that he is short in his 
account concerning his travels in some places, thou 
needest not wonder at it, considering how much hewas 
employed in public service, and almost continually 
travelling to and fro in the work of the ministry * but 
it is rather to be admired that he was capable of 
transmitting so much, and that so well as he has 
done ; and not only so, but also as he was a man 
who had not the advantage of a liberal or learned 
education, but like the disciples of his Lord formerly? 
(see Acts iv. 13.), was ignorant and unlearned in 
that literature ; though he was wise unto that which 
is good, and simple concerning evil, and was able 
with the blessed apostle, " to speak wisdom among 
them that were perfect/' — 1 Cor. ii. 6; and to declare 
his experience in the things of God, and the mys- 
teries of true godliness and saving religion : and 
therefore it is hoped, that inaccuracies in style and 
manner of expression, or otherwise, will be overlooked 
and excused by the candid and ingenuous reader. 

As to the account of his acceptance among Friends 
where he livedo and the service he was of in the 
Meeting he belonged to, we refer to the testimony 
concerning him from the Monthly Meeting of 
which he was a member, herewith published ; and 
shall conclude this preface with this short exhor- 
tation to every particular (but more especially 
to the youth,) who may read the ensuing treatise : 
Wouldst thou be a vessel of honour in the 
house of God, and of service in thy day and ge- 
neration, (as this our worthy Friend was,) according 
to thy degree and station in the Church of Christ 1 



TO THE READER. 



79 



Thou must then keep under the government of the 
grace or Spirit of God, which made him what he was, 
and learn to trust in it : for " Abraham believed 
God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 
— Gal. iii. 6 ; and so it will be to all his children 
after the promise : and seek not thine own honour, 
for " how can ye believe who receive honour one of 
another, and seek not the honour that cometh from 
God only," saith Christ our Lord and Pattern, John v. 
44. And if thou keepest under the government of 
the Spirit or grace of God, to the manifestation of his 
light in thy own heart, (which are all one thing, 
under different names, according to the diversities of 
the operations of God's universal gift dispensed for 
the redemption of mankind, and have all the same 
or the like properties and effects ascribed to each of 
them,) thou wilt receive power to become a child of 
God, and inherit the promises. Concerning which 
terms of grace, spirit, and light, for the sake of such 
who may be strangers to this doctrine, a few Scripture 
testimonies are subjoined, viz. 

1st, Under the term grace : " By grace are ye 
saved through faith." — Eph. ii. 8. God's " grace is 
sufficient for thee." — 2 Cor. xii. 9. It is that which 
" teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, 
and to live soberly, righteously, and godly." — Titus 
ii. 12. 

2ndly, Under the term Spirit : " When the Spirit 
of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth." 
— John xvi. 13. " The things of God knoweth no 
man, but the Spirit of God."— 1 Cor. ii. 12. " But 
God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit." — 1 Cor. 



80 



TO THE READER. 



ii. 10. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby 
ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." — Eph. iv. 
30. " As many as are led by the Spirit of God, 
they are the sons of God." — Rom. viii. 14. " Now if 
any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of 
his," — Rom. viii. 9 ; for it is through the Spirit the 
deeds of the body (which are our lusts) are mortified, 
- — Rom. viii. 13. 

3rdly. Under the term Light : Christ is " the true 
Light which lighteth every man that cometh into 
the world," (John i. 9,) as he declares of himself, " I 
am the light of the world ; he that followeth me 
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light 
of life." — John viii. 12. And thus is fulfilled what 
the prophet foretold concerning him, that "God gave 
him (his Son) for a covenant of the people, for a 
light of the Gentiles." — Isa. xlii. 6. And again he 
says, " I will also give thee for a light to the Gen- 
tiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end 
of the earth," — Isa. xlix. 6 ; and also by Zacharias, 
" to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in 
the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way 
of peace." — Luke i. 79. And this is what the Apostle 
John gives testimony to, that it was come ; "because," 
saith he, " the darkness is past, and the true light 
now shineth." — 1 John ii. 8 ; and exhorts the be- 
lievers to walk in it, chap. i. 7 ; and what the 
Apostle Paul bears record of, when he says, " But all 
things that are reproved, (or are discovered, as in 
the margin,) are made manifestly the light," — Eph. 
v. 13. ; and this is that light with which the heavenly 
city, the new Jerusalem, is enlightened, and there- 



TO THE READER. 



81 



fore " needs not the light of the sun or of the moon, 
but the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb 
is the light thereof; and the nations of them which are 
saved, shall walk in the light of it." — Rev. xxi. 23, 24. 
And it is to this gift, which is the saving health of 
all nations, the apostle recommends the believers in 
his time, under the term grace, and to which all 
who have known the sufficiency of it, do direct all : 
" And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and 
to the word of his grace, which is able to build you 
up, and to give you an inheritance among all them 
which are sanctified." — Acts xx. 32. 

To God only wise, who is glorified in his saints, 
and preserves through all, such who put their trust 
in him, be dominion and thanks, now and for ever- 
more. Amen. 



o 



THE TESTIMONY 

Of [Pardshaw] Monthly Meeting concerning our 
worthy Friend, James Dickinson, deceased. 



James Dickinson of Greentrees (otherwise Moor- 
side,) belonging to Pardshaw Meeting, in the county 
of Cumberland, was born at Lowrnoor, of honest 
parents, in the year 1658. The Lord was pleased 
tenderly to visit him in his young years, whereby 
he became acquainted measurably with his teach- 
ings when but a child ; but for want of keeping a 
stedfast eye to the guidings thereof, was led forth 
into those follies and vanities of the world incident 
to youth. But such was the love of the heavenly 
Father, (as he often declared amongst us in the 
spring of the gospel) that he was met with again? 
and brought back as a sheep strayed from the 
Father's fold • and after much affliction and solitary 
exercise, was fitted for future service ; and engaged 
in a public testimony about the eighteenth year of 
his age. He was shortly after concerned to go to 
several meetings of the Dissenters in the country 
where he lived, and underwent hardships among 
them ; yet Truth crowned his labours with some 
convincement. After which he travelled in the ser- 
vice of the ministry, in divers counties through 
England, Ireland, and Scotland ; undergoing suffer- 



TESTIMONY OP PARDSHAW MONTHLY MEETING. S3 

ings in the times of persecution. He visited Friends 
in Ireland twelve times, three times in America, 
once in Holland and Germany, and laboured much 
in his native country and nation of England, many 
having been convinced by him. Much more might 
have been said concerning his labours and travels in 
the work of the ministry, but we refer to his ensuing 
journal. 

We have this testimony to give concerning our 
dear deceased Friend : he was a diligent labourer at 
home, a constant attender of meetings, a sincere 
travailer therein, very tender over the youth, a 
nursing father to the least, and full of charity to all 
rightly anointed ; yet not hasty to join with forward 
spirits. He was also careful not to join in party 
causes, but was greatly concerned for the promotion 
and unity of the church ; and often expressed his 
stedfast faith of Truth's testimony being exalted in 
the nations, and the antichristian oppression of tithes 
brought down ; and with concern declared his sorrow 
for such as weakly complied therewith. 

When his natural abilities failed, he would speak 
strongly, apparently beyond his age and constitution. 
He was seized with a palsy near a year before he 
died, which detained him from coming to meetings, 
and by which his speech was much taken from him ; 
but he would often say, Though he was weak, he ivas 
well, and had nothing hut peace on every hand ; — 
expressing his care and concern for the growth and 
preservation of the church. 

He died on the 6th of the Third Month, 1741, 
and was interred on the 8th of the same, in Friends' 



84 TESTIMONY OF PARDSHAW MONTHLY MEETING. 



burying-ground, at Eaglesfield, being accompanied 
by a great many Friends and others. Aged eighty- 
three, a minister sixty-five years. 

Read, approved, and signed, at our Quarterly Meet- 
ing, held at Pardshaw Hall in the county of 
Cumberland, the 1st of the Second Month, 1742, 



By John Wilson. 



THE TESTIMONY 



Of John Bell, to the Memory of our worthy Friend 
James Dickinson, deceased. 



[Reader,] 

Thou art, with this, presented with a brief 
account of the diligent labours and hard travels, of 
that faithful servant and eminent minister of the 
Gospel of Christ, James Dickinson ; to whose faith- 
fulness to the Truth, manifested in an humble, self- 
denying life and circumspect, godly conversation, I 
could not but give this brief testimony ; for it was 
this which greatly recommended that ministry in 
which he zealously laboured for the promotion of 
piety and virtue, both at home and abroad ; so that it 
often proved effectual to reach the witness of Grod in 
the consciences of those to whom he ministered. It 
may be truly said of him, that he went not about to 
publish the gospel of life and salvation with enticing 
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but in the 
power and demonstration of the Spirit ; for he was 
not a minister of the letter only, but of the Spirit : 
it was by being obedient to the powerful workings 
thereof in himself, and by waiting diligently for the 
movings and openings of it, that he became well 
qualified for that service. His testimony was living 
and powerful, and often very terrible to the workers 



86 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



of iniquity, yet very edifying and comfortable to the 
well-minded, and encouraging to them to wait for the 
help of the Holy Spirit, whereby they might be 
made able to persevere in the way of life and salva- 
tion ; (which way is revealed and made manifest by 
the light of the Son of God, which in some degree 
shineth in the hearts of all mankind, and is the 
unerring Guide to all such who believe in it, and are 
obedient to its discoveries, to bring them to the strait 
gate, and into the narrow way which leads to eternal 
happiness.) By his powerful and lively testimonies 
the weak and doubtful were often encouraged to 
depend upon that powerful Arm whereby they had 
been gathered out of the many evils which are in the 
world ; and the feeble-minded confirmed in the 
belief of the Truth, and their faith strengthened in 
Jesus Christ the way to the Father. For he was often 
concerned in the openings of Truth to speak to the 
divers states and conditions of the people to whom he 
was called to minister, having through the mercy 
of God the word to preach, and wisdom given him to 
divide it aright ; and many yet living who have sat 
under his testimonies with great comfort and satis- 
faction, can witness that he did not " handle the 
word of God deceitfully," but was " a workman that 
needed not to be ashamed." 

He was an able minister of the new covenant, a 
zealous promoter of the cause of Truth, and laboured 
faithfully in that good work whereunto he was called, 
in that ability which God gave. He travelled much 
in that service through many difficulties and hard- 
ships, and at times in great jeopardy ; but as his 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



87 



dependence was upon God, whom he faithfully served 
and obeyed, he was preserved through all those diffi- 
culties, and enabled to perform his service, and 
cheerfully to undergo the hardships he met with ; 
for the Lord had blessed him with a good consti- 
tution and bodily strength, so that he was well 
qualified both with spiritual and temporal ability 
for that service where unto hewas called and ap- 
pointed, as plainly appears by his ensuing journal. 
For, as hath been already said, he laboured faithfully 
where he came, in word and doctrine; and many 
were turned from darkness to light, and from the 
power of Satan to God by his ministry, and the flock 
of Christ edified, comforted, and encouraged in a 
faithful perseverance. And although he travelled 
much, and often hard, as plainly appears by his said 
journal, (not being willing to make the gospel 
chargeable,) yet when he was drawn forth to visit the 
churches abroad, as soon as his service was over, and 
his spirit eased of the concern which was upon him, 
it appears, he was diligent to return to his outward 
habitation and business, that he might not only be 
a good example to others, but might also mind his 
service among Friends at home. A good example 
indeed of an able minister and faithful elder of the 
church of Christ ! w T orthy to be observed and fol- 
lowed by all to whom a dispensation of the same 
gospel is given to preach ; for wheresoever any are 
truly qualified and called to the ministry, there will 
be a service for them among Friends where they 
dwell, in that ministry whereunto they are called ; 
so that when any are called to visit any of the 



88 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



churches, there ought still to be a care upon their 
minds to return when they have discharged them- 
selves faithfully of that concern required of them : 
for the truly called of God will find, if they dili- 
gently mind the manifestations of the Holy Spirit 
which qualifies for service, and leads the obedient 
servants of Christ into it, that there is a service for 
them to do among Friends in those places where they 
are inhabitants ; and the care of the churches there, 
according to their several growths, will fall upon 
them j and this service ought not to be neglected ; 
for wheresoever that may happen, such will suffer 
loss. Therefore I would tenderly advise, in the love 
of Christ, all who are concerned in the work of the 
ministry, that they be very careful to mind this their 
service ; and, by that help given of God, endeavour 
to follow the example of this faithful and experienced 
elder : for, according to his account in the following 
journal, (to the truth whereof many now living can 
testify,) when he returned from his labours and 
travels abroad in visiting the churches, he diligently 
attended the particular meeting to which he belonged, 
also was often concerned to visit neighbouring meet- 
ings ; and not less careful to frequent meetings for 
discipline, that he might be helpful to his brethren 
in the management of the affairs of Truth ; which 
nearly united them one to another. 

But, by what is above said by way of caution, I 
do not intend to discourage any who are rightly con- 
cerned ; but on the contrary hand, would recommend 
the advice of the apostle to Timothy, " Let the elders 
that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



89 



especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." 
— 1 Tim. v. 17, and not only so, but I would also 
beseech Friends, when it may please God to raise up 
and qualify any for the work of the ministry, that 
they do not slight it, nor despise the instruments 
who may be so concerned, how mean soever they may 
appear in the eyes of men ; for it is the Lord's work, 
who is able to qualify : but be diligently exercised 
in your minds, that they may feel the help of your 
spirits for their strength and encouragement ; for the 
exercise and concern of the true ministers is of more 
weight to them than some are aware of. 

As to this our worthy Friend, he was a man much 
esteemed in his own country, and Friends there 
highly valued him for his work's sake and his faith- 
fulness therein ; and his humble deportment, circum- 
spect life and godly conversation, gained him a good 
report among his neighbours, and those with whom 
he conversed. 

He also frequently attended the Yearly Meeting in 
London ; and the still, retired frame of mind he 
often sat in, when in that Meeting, hath affected the 
minds of some who have beheld him ; and when he 
spoke to matters, it was in humility, and very 
weighty, greatly to the satisfaction of divers brethren, 
his words being seasoned with grace. Yet he was 
not so peculiarly gifted for the management of the 
discipline of the church as some others in his time, 
who were not so eminent in the ministry ; whereby 
the great wisdom of the Almighty is plainly seen ; 
for he fits and qualifies his faithful servants by his 
own power and Holy Spirit for that work and service 
in the church, to which he sees meet to appoint 



90 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



them : as the apostle said, f< Now there are diversities 
of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differ- 
ences of administrations, but the same Lord ; and 
there are diversities of operations, but it is the same 
God which worketh all in all." — 1 Cor. xii. 4 — 6. 
And the apostle, when he speaks of Christ's ascend- 
ing up on high, when he led captivity captive, and 
gave gifts unto men, goes on, and further saith, " And 
he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some 
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the 
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, 
for the edifying of the body of Christ." — Eph. iv. 
11, 12. And as the church comes to be restored into 
its primitive purity, the same Lord is able, in our day, 
to qualify his faithful servants, and give gifts to 
them for the perfecting the saints, that the body may 
edify itself in love. It was for the work of the 
ministry that this our worthy Friend was peculiarly 
gifted, in which he laboured faithfully many years, 
and was an example of humility and meekness ; 
which, with his pious life and godly conversation, 
greatly adorned the doctrine he had given him to 
preach ; for he walked in the "just man's path," 
which " is as the shining light, that shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day." — Pro v. iv. 18, and his 
zeal for the cause of Truth continued whilst strength 
of body was given him to perform his service. 

I shall now recommend to Friends in general, the 
serious perusal of the following journal ; wherein is 
set forth the protection, and many preservations of 
the author, by that mighty Hand and Power on which 
he depended ; that every one may be stirred up to 
rely on the same divine Arm which preserved him 



TESTIMONY OF JOHN BELL. 



91 



during a long pilgrimage, through many exercises 
and difficulties ; that by the help of the Holy Spirit, 
many may be enabled to follow this faithful man's 
good example in humility, piety, virtue, and faithful- 
ness to the Truth we profess. And [now that] it 
hath pleased the Great Creator of all things to 
remove him from us, and to take him to himself, he 
having ceased from his labours, his works follow 
him ; and I doubt not, but through Jesus Christ our 
Mediator, he hath obtained an entrance into that 
everlasting rest which remains for the righteous. 
And his memory lives with the faithful who knew 
him : for, as the psalmist saith, " The righteous shall 
be in everlasting remembrance." — Psal. cxii. 6 : and, 
as Daniel the prophet saith, " They that be wise shall 
shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they 
that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever 
and ever." — Dan. xii. 3. May we, by following 
his steps, attain the like reward ; and with him, 
among saints and angels, and the spirits of just men 
made perfect, praise God our Redeemer, and receive 
that crown of righteousness, which is laid up for all 
those who love the appearance of Jesus Christ our 
Lord ; unto whom, with the Father, be dominion 
and glory, thanksgiving and praise, now and for ever. 

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from 
henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
from their labours ; and their works do follow them." 
— Rev. xiv. 13. 

John Bell. 

Bromley, the \2th of the 
Ninth Month, 1744. 



A JOURNAL 

OF THE 

LIFE AND TKAVELS 

OF 

JAMES DICKINSON. 



CHAPTER I. 

His Birth — Care and Faithfulness of his Parents — His Trans- 
gressions and Convictions — Religious exercises and first ap- 
pearance in the Ministry — Visits to a Presbyterian and Baptist 
meeting, &c. — Travels in various parts of England and Wales, 
also in Scotland, Ireland, and Holland — His first visit to 
America— Remarkable deliverance on the Voyage — Travels 
and Gospel labours in America. 

I was born at a place called Lowmoor-house, in the 
parish of Dean and county of Cumberland, in the year 
1659. My parents' names were Matthew and Jane 
Dickinson, who being convinced of the Truth, edu- 
cated me in the way thereof ; and the Lord, by his 
power, did reach unto me when very young, and 
often broke my heart into true tenderness, so that 
many times I had a secret delight to be inwardly 
retired to feel the virtue of it ; which was cause of 
true gladness to my parents, whose delight was in 
the enjoyment of the Lord's presence. They were 



94: 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



good examples to their children, educating them in 
the way of righteousness ; often exhorting us with 
tears to fear the Lord, sincerely desiring that their 
children might be his. My testimony for them is, 
they discharged themselves to their children. 

When I was about seven years of age, it pleased 
the Lord to remove my dear mother from the cares 
and troubles of this life. My father retained his in- 
tegrity and zeal for God and his Truth, and his care 
still increased for his children's good, that they 
might grow up in the Truth ; often admonishing us 
to fear the Lord, and to mind his light and grace 
that secretly reproved us for the wildness and the 
outgoings of our minds into vanity ; so that I may 
say they are clear of us, and am satisfied they are 
entered into rest, and their works follow them. 

My father died when I was ten years old ; and I 
not taking the counsel of the wise man, viz. to take 
the counsel of my father, which was to mind the light 
or measure of grace given unto me, my mind was 
drawn out after the vain plays, customs, fashions, 
and will-worships of the world ; in which state I 
continued some time. Yet the Lord by his power 
did many times reach my heart, and by the spirit of 
his dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, reproved me for 
my vain conversation - many times calling me to re- 
turn unto him from whom I had gone astray ; whose 
power, in some measure, I had felt before to tender 
my heart. But I, not minding to turn at the re- 
proofs of wisdom, went on in rebellion against his 
blessed Spirit, and ran as with a multitude to do 
evil, into wildness and vanity ; until the Lord in his 
mercy did visit my soul by his righteous judgments, 
and thereby turned my mirth into mourning, and 
joy into heaviness; and deep sorrow was my portion. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



95 



Being warned to repent and turn to the Lord, a godly- 
sorrow was begun, which I experienced to lead to 
true repentance. Then my familiars became my 
enemies, and I was a taunt and a bye-word to them : 
yet still, as I loved the Lord in the way of his judg- 
ments, and waited upon him to know the way of 
them, I found the Lord to give victory, and saw my 
greatest enemies were those of my own house, and 
the war begun there. And as I was careful to keep 
in the light, I came to see the kingdom rent from 
Saul, and given to David ; though there was a long 
war between the house of Saul and the house of 
David : but as I kept my eye unto the Lord, I came 
to see the house of Saul to grow weaker and weaker, 
and the house of David stronger and stronger. Yet 
many were the days of mourning and nights of sor- 
row my soul went under ; that I may say, it was the 
day of Jacob's trouble, and of Joseph's affliction : 
many times I cried unto the Lord, ' Oh that I had a 
cave in the ground, that I might mourn out my days, 
that in the end I might find peace with thee /' And 
in those deep afflictions and exercises, the Lord was 
very near, and often mixed mercy with judgment; so 
that my soul began to delight to wait upon him in the 
way of his judgment, seeing it was by the spirit of 
judgment and burning that the filth of the daughter 
of Zion must be done away. As I kept here, I felt 
the love of God to increase in my soul, which deeply 
affected me ; and a hunger was increased in my 
heart after the enjoyment of the Lord's power, and 
the operation of it, whether it was in mercy or judg- 
ment ; so I knew my faith to be increased in the 
sufficiency of the power of God. Then I saw it was 
good for me that I was afflicted ; for " before I was 
afflicted I went astray ;" I found (as David said) his 



96 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



rod and his staff comforted me; and the Lord did 
often overshadow me with his love, and a sight of 
glorious things I had at that time. 

I also had a vision, in which I beheld a sheep 
feeding in a very green pasture, by a pleasant river- 
side ; and a wicked man, that envied the sheep, came 
and forced it into the river, and the sheep made for 
the other side ; but a bridge being over the river, 
the man went over it and drove the sheep in again, 
and so resolved to drown it. When the sheep was 
almost lost, I saw a good man, that was the owner of 
the sheep, who caught hold and saved it and brought 
it into the pasture again ; after which I saw the two 
men striving upon the bridge ; aud he who saved the 
sheep prevailed, and smote the other, and threw him 
into the river in which he would have drowned the 
sheep ; and it took him away. 

After this, great was my exercise, tossing and 
struggling with the power of darkness : being un- 
skilful, and not grown in strength to resist the evil 
one, he gained ground upon me, and would have 
filled me with doubts and fears, so that I was ready 
to conclude I should never get through ; but, with 
David, was like to say, " I shall now perish one day 
by the hand of Saul." And when I had almost lost 
the hope of deliverance, then the Lord appeared by 
his mighty power, and rebuked the enemy, and de- 
livered my soul from him that was too strong for me ; 
he drew me out of the troubled waters, and brought 
my mind into true stillness, and to the proper place 
of right waiting upon him, where I found my strength 
to be renewed ; and the overshadowing of his power 
I often felt to my great comfort, so that I was made 
to admire his goodness. 

In the year 1678, the Lord moved upon me by his 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



97 



Spirit to bear a testimony to his name and Truth. 
Great then was my exercise : seeing the work to 
be very weighty, and looking out at my own weak- 
ness- made me unwilling to give up to answer the 
Lord's requirings ; but the Lord, in his great love, 
filled my soul with the emanations of his power, 
which strengthened and encouraged me, that I was 
made willing to give up in obedience unto his divine 
will. Then in great dread and fear I stood up, and 
bore a public testimony in our own meeting, warning- 
Friends to be more inward and faithful to the manifes- 
tations of the light and grace of God in their souls. 
And after I had answered the requirings of the Lord, 
I found great peace flowing in my soul, which so pre- 
vailed upon my spirit, that I was bowed down under 
the sense of the Lord's goodness ; and the weight of 
the exercise which I had felt upon me was removed. 

One morning, as I was meditating on the great 
love and mercy of God unto my soul, the word of the 
Lord came unto me, saying, Be bold and courageous 
for my names sake, and I will raise thee up ; and 
shortly after he moved upon me to go to Talentire, 
to the Presbyterians' meeting. I was under a con- 
tinual exercise for several days and nights, so that I 
could scarce either eat or sleep ; and the word of the 
Lord was as a fire in my bones, that I had no peace 
till I had given up to it : so I went, and the Lord 
was with me, and shewed me what I had to do. 
When I came into the meeting at Talentire, I stood 
amongst them in great fear and dread ; and immedi- 
ately the people began to say, I was a Quaker, and 
was come to disturb the meeting : some cried, { put 
him forth,' others, 1 let him alone so they were 
divided, as the multitude amongst whom Paul was 
concerned to preach the gospel. Some pulled to have 

H 



98 



LIFE AND TKAVELS 



me out, and others seemed to stop them. But they 
put me out, and shut the door, and many people fol- 
lowed me. I stood up amongst them at the window, 
and delivered the message I had to them, which was, 
' This is the day of the visitation, and the revelation of 
the power and Spirit of Christ in your hearts ; there- 
fore resist not the day of the visitation and revelation 
of God's Spirit ; for if you do, it will rise up in 
judgment against you, when you tvill not be able to 
resist' After I had thus spoken, they ran to me and 
threw me down, dragged my head against the stones, 
and put me out of the gate. Then I spoke to them ; 
but two of them came and haled me down the street. 
And finding myself clear, I said, ( Your blood be 
upon your own heads, for I am clear of it.' So I 
came away in great peace of mind, being sensible of 
the overshadowing of the love of God, and was filled 
with praises unto his most holy name. 

And soon after, the Lord by his Spirit moved upon 
me to go to the Baptists' meeting at Broughton ; unto 
which I gave up • and the Lord was with me to my 
consolation. So I went, in obedience to the will of 
the Lord, into their meeting, and staid a considerable 
time, until the preacher, who was a stranger, made a 
stop : then I spoke, and desired liberty to clear my- 
self among them ; after which I directed the people 
to the light of Christ Jesus. John Palmer the elder 
bid me begone out of his house, and commanded his 
son to put me forth ; so he took me by the shoulders 
and pushed me out at the door, and kept me there 
till the meeting was ended. Then I went in again, 
and preached unto them the light of Christ Jesus that 
skined in their hearts, in order to give them the know- 
ledge of the glory of God. Thus, although I was 
thrust out of doors, yet the Lord made way for me to 
clear myself of the weight that was upon me, blessed 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



99 



be his name for ever. But great was the confusion 
that soon appeared, many of them speaking all at 
once ; some asking, What beast was that which was 
come amongst them 1 Others answered, It was none, 
but a man or a boy. But the Lord was with me in 
my testimony, and by the effusion of his power gave 
me dominion over the unclean spirits ; and the 
witness of God in the hearts of several, was reached, 
who soon after came out from amongst them, and 
received the Truth in the love of it, viz., John 
Ribton, (who came to be a minister of the gospel,) 
and several others. And when I was clear I came 
away, and witnessed that saying to be fulfilled, 
Psalm cxix. 165, " Great peace have they which love 
thy law, and nothing shall offend them." 

After some time, the Lord engaged me to visit 
Friends in this county j and as I gave up in obedience 
thereto, I witnessed the renewings of Divine love in 
my heart, which was cause of joy and true gladness 
to my soul. In my return home, a concern came 
upon me to go and speak to George Larkham, a Pres- 
byterian preacher, at Talentire ; which brought a fresh 
exercise upon my mind, because I was unwilling to 
answer what the Lord required of me, insomuch that 
my natural strength was almost taken from me : then 
I was made willing to do whatsoever the Lord required 
of me. So I went, in the fear of the Lord, into George 
Larkham's house. As soon as he saw me he was in great 
fury and rage, and asked me what business I had there ? 
— I told him my business was to clear my conscience 
in the sight of God, which I desired he would suffer me 
to do ; — but he in great rage ran into an upper room 
and ordered me to be put out, for I was a Quaker : 
his wife being also in a great passion, said, there was 
a great fault of the magistrates, in not putting such 



100 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



fellows as I in the stocks ; — which shewed the bitter- 
ness of her spirit, and that she only wanted power to 
follow the example, and imitate the barbarity of her 
brethren in New England. Then George Larkham 
came down in great fury, and asked why they had not 
put me forth 1 — I desired him, if he was a christian, 
to show his moderation as a christian. — Then he 
charged me with saying that he w T as no christian ; 
which I told him was false : — he said, some of my 
persuasion had said it ; — I bid him charge them with 
it, and not me falsely. Then he took me by the 
shoulders and thrust me out of the house, as his fol- 
lowers had done before : and as I was going out I 
spoke to him what I had upon my mind. So I came 
away in much peace, feeling the Lord to overshadow 
me with his living presence, which filled my heart 
with praises to his great name. 

In the year 1680, 1 felt the Lord, by his power, to 
draw me forth to visit Friends in Westmoreland, the 
dales of Yorkshire, the bishoprick of Durham and 
Northumberland ; in which journey the Lord was 
merciful unto me, in preserving and giving me my 
life for a prey. Great was the zeal that was raised 
in me for the Truth, and against any thing that was 
contrary to and opposed it. This was a time when 
Friends were under great exercises and deep suffer- 
ings, by reason of wicked and ungodly men ; for 
many were imprisoned, fined, and had their goods 
taken from them, for no other reason but performing 
their religious duties to Almighty God, in worship- 
ping him in spirit and truth : although no informers 
came to any of the meetings appointed by me, in 
all my journey through Westmoreland, &c, which 
bowed my mind in true thankfulness unto the God of 
heaven and earth, for his merciful preservation and 
divine protection. 



OP JAMES DICKINSON. 



101 



la the year 1682, a concern was upon me from the 
Lord, to go into Ireland in the service of the Truth, 
under which I laboured for some time. Thomas 
Wilson, a young man from Caldbeck, was at our week- 
day meeting, as he was going to visit Friends in Ire- 
land ; and although I did not acquaint him with what 
was upon my mind, yet after he was gone, my exercise 
increased upon me to such a degree, that I freely gave 
up unto the manifestations of God's will revealed to me. 
Then I acquainted my brethren therewith, and they 
had unity with me therein, believing the Lord had 
called me thereunto. So I took leave of them in much 
tenderness in the love of God, took shipping at 
Workington for Ireland, and arrived safe at Dublin. 

The next day I went to their meeting ; and the 
Lord by his ancient goodness did eminently break in 
amongst us, and refreshed our souls with his divine 
love, which brought me under a renewed obligation 
to elebrate his great name, who had preserved me 
both by sea and land. After the meeting I went into 
the country, and visited Friends' Meetings until I 
came into the county of Wexford, where I met with 
Thomas Wilson ; and our concerns being one way, 
we travelled together through the provinces of 
Leinster and Munster, in great humility, godly fear 
and true brotherly love ; our hearts being often 
tendered in meetings, and the hearts of Friends also, 
in most places where we came. So being clear of 
those parts, my companion staid at Waterford, and 
I went north, and had several meetings amongst people 
that professed not with us ; and several were con- 
vinced. 

Now finding myself clear of the north, I returned 
to Dublin, and had some service in that city ; so took 
shipping for Whitehaven. In our voyage, near the 



102 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Isle of Man, we had a great storm and were in danger ; 
but through the good providence of God we got to 
land in Wales, where I had some service for the 
Truth ; after which, we proceeded on our voyage, and 
arrived safe at Whitehaven ; so went home, being 
truly thankful unto the Lord for his manifold preser- 
vations both by sea and land. 

In the year 1G83, I felt drawings in my mind to 
visit Friends in Scotland ; and being resigned to 
answer what I believed was required of me, I took 
my journey on foot, not having any companion; yet 
the love of God was such in my heart, that I freely 
gave up to follow him. When I was in the Border, 
a young man belonging to that meeting had a con- 
cern to go along with me, whose company was both 
serviceable and acceptable ; our unity was sweet and 
pleasant in the Lord. We travelled on foot through 
the south, and the Lord was with us and enabled us 
to perform our services. Then we passed into the 
north to Aberdeen, &c, where we met with our 
friends George Rook and Andrew Taylor. We were 
at several meetings together, and were sweetly com- 
forted in the Lord and one another. We had a 
meeting on board a ship that was bound for Jersey 
in America, there being several Friends on board 
that were passengers. After the meeting, we took 
leave of them in the love of God ; so travelled 
through the north, and had many refreshing seasons 
in the enjoyment of God's love : several hearts were 
reached and some convinced. When we were clear, 
we returned into the west and visited Friends there ; 
so returned into England as with sheaves in our 
bosoms, which occasioned praises to spring in our 
hearts to the Lord. 

Some time after, I was drawn forth to visit Friends 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



103 



in the north of England ; and proceeding into West- 
moreland, at Kendal I met with my dear companion, 
Thomas Wilson, who was my fellow-labourer in the 
work of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We 
had a meeting there, and it being a time of great 
persecution, many Friends suffered deeply by wicked 
and unreasonable men ; but the Lord supported us in 
the time of exercises. A little after we were gone 
into the meeting, the officers came and were very rude : 
Thomas Wilson stood up and preached the gospel in 
the authority of the power of God, which mightily 
affected the hearts of Friends : then one of the 
officers came and pulled him out of the meeting, and 
kept him there : after which I was engaged in the 
love of God, and stood up and bore a testimony to 
his name and Truth. Then the officers said, ' There 
is another preaching ; they will never be quiet so 
long as any are left in the house.' So they took me 
forth also, and kept us a little time, but suffered us 
to go into the meeting again ; and we sat down and 
waited upon the Lord. Some time after, I was en- 
gaged in prayer : they came rushing in to pull me 
away again, but the power of the Lord was over all, 
which so chained down that persecuting spirit, that 
they had not power to break up our meeting ; but 
were frustrated, and the name of our God exalted, and 
set over the opposers ; many of their hearts were 
reached by his divine power : thus we saw that saying- 
fulfilled, " When a man's ways please the Lord, he 
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." 
— Prov. xvi. 7. Then I parted with my companion, 
and went into Lancashire and the edge of Yorkshire, 
where several were convinced at that time. Find- 
ing myself clear, I returned home and followed my 
trade, (which was that of a fellmonger) and was dili- 



104 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



gent in attending our own meetings, in which I had 
peace and inward satisfaction of soul. 

In the year 1684 I with my companion Thomas 
Wilson, travelled through Lancashire and Cheshire 
into Wales. Friends were still under deep exercises 
by reason of the persecuting spirit which was risen 
up against the church of God, insomuch that Friends 
were often imprisoned, fined, and had their goods 
taken from them. But we were drawn forth by the 
love of God, who sets bounds to the waters and re- 
bukes the seas ; causeth the horn of the wicked to be 
broken, and restraineth the remainder of the wrath 
of man, when he hath suffered the rod of the wicked 
to be laid upon the back of the righteous for a season, 
for a trial of their faith, that it may appear much 
more precious than that of gold ; that by it, they 
may live through all, and follow the Lamb through 
many tribulations, and know their garments washed 
in his precious blood. Blessed be the Lord, we were 
made witnesses of his divine power in our travels, 
both inwardly and outwardly. 

We entered into North Wales in the depth of 
winter ; and all things were made pleasant unto us in 
the love of God, which we were measurably made 
partakers of. At the first meeting we had in Wales 
the Lord did eminently appear amongst us, and filled 
our hearts with praises unto his holy name. So we 
travelled through North Wales, and had good service 
for the Truth. Robert Vahan was there convinced 
of the Truth, and became a very serviceable man, being 
afterwards called to the work of the ministry. Then 
we went into South Wales to Haverfordwest, and had 
good service there among the people. In all this 
way, no informers came to any of our meetings, until 
we came to Redstone in Pembrokeshire ; there we had 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



105 



a meeting, unto which came two informers. My 
companion was preaching the word of the Lord to 
the people when they came in : one of them came to 
take him out of the meeting, but the Lord restrained 
him : so he went on, and the Lord was effectually with 
him by his irresistible power ; and in much plainness 
and tenderness he set the testimony of Truth over 
their heads. After he had cleared himself he sat 
down : then the informer swore a great oath, and 
said, ' There should not another word be spoken 
there but finding my heart engaged in the love of 
God to pray to Him, and implore his divine assistance, 
the informer came to pull me away, but he could not ; 
for the Lord by his power restrained him, an i set 
his Truth over the heads of the opposers. Friends' 
spirits were raised into dominion over the adversary 
and his instruments, the meeting ended in prais- 
ing and giving of thanks unto the Lord, and we 
came away in sweet peace. We may say, he Lord 
fulfilled the promise made to Jerusalem, unto us, 
" That he would be unto her a wall of fire round 
about, and the glory in the midst of her." — Zech. ii. 5. 
For the overshadowing of his love was with us, and 
we had many precious meetings in those parts. 

Then we went to Swansea and had service there ; 
persuading the people to be reconciled to God and 
one to another. So came into North Wales, where I 
parted with my companion ; he returned home ; but 
I having a concern upon me to visit Friends in 
Ireland, went through the north into the Isle of 
Anglesea, and took shipping at Holyhead for Dublin. 
Having a fair wind, we had a prosperous voyage, 
until we got over the bar of Dublin ; then a great 
storm arose, the vessel struck ground, and we were 
in danger of being wrecked ; but the Lord ordered 
it otherwise. So I got safe to Dublin, which filled 



106 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



my heart with thankfulness to the Almighty for so 
wonderfully preserving us. John Burnyeat landed 
in the North of Ireland, through great danger, at the 
same time : it was such a storm, that few vessels got 
to Ireland for two weeks after. Then in obedience 
to the will of God, I went into Leinster and visited 
Friends, where I met with Thomas Trafford,* who 
travelled through Munster with me. I had a general 
warning to Friends, to be careful that they might have 
a habitation and settlement in the power of God ; for 
a time of trial would come upon them, that would try 
all their foundations ; and none woidd be able to stand, 
nor be safe, but those that should be settled upon the 
Rock, Christ Jesus, and gathered under his peaceable 

* Thomas Trafford resided in Ireland. According to the Testi- 
mony of Friends of the county of Wicklow, " he was con- 
vinced of the Truth about the year 1670, and soon after bore a 
faithful testimony for the Lord against that grand oppression of 
tithe ; and because, for conscience' sake, he could not pay the 
same, he suffered imprisonment for two years. Soon after he 
came out of prison, the Lord committed to him a dispensation of 
the Gospel, which he preached freely and faithfully in this nation, 
through which he often travelled, also several times in some parts 
of England, &c. Several were convinced by his ministry, and 
Friends were often comforted by the sweetness of that life and 
power which attended it. He was also zealously concerned in 
discipline, being endued with a sound and clear understanding, 
very tender and encouraging to the good, and zealous against the 
appearance of evil. Towards the latter part of his life he suffered 
great bodily affliction ; yet [he] bore it with patience, was pre- 
served in a sweet frame of spirit, and continued very serviceable 
in [his] meeting unto his latter end. He died in the year 1703. * 

Thomas Trafford appears to have borne a large share of the 
concern that rested on many Friends of Ireland in his day, that 
themselves and their fellow-professors might be preserved from 
that " spirit which leads into the lawful things of the world, be- 
yond the bounds of Truth? (See a weighty Epistle on that sub- 
ject, with a Preface and Postscript thereto, in Utitty's History of 
Friends in Ireland.) 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



107 



government ; those ivould know a dwelling safely, and 
a being quiet from the fear of evil* And as the 
Lord gave tlie word, he also gave power and strength 

* That the fulfilment of this prediction soon followed, is a well- 
known historical fact : the following summary account of it 
furnishes occasion for contemplating, with reverent admiration, the 
sufficiency of that divine Arm, whereby Friends who kept faithful 
to their testimony against wars and fightings, were preserved ; and 
enabled, under peculiarly adverse circumstances, to continue in 
the performance of their civil and religious duties. 

" The latter end of this year (1688) a war broke forth in this 
nation, threatening a general overthrow of all the English and 
Protestants ; and in that frightful time, many of these left their 
dwellings, stocks and flocks, and fled, some to England and some 
to arms. But Friends generally kept their places, and kept up 
their meetings, and trusted the Lord with their lives and sub- 
stance, that rules all things in heaven and earth, and bounds the 
sea and the raging waves thereof ; though under great perils of 
divers sorts, by reason of multitudes of wicked, unmerciful, 
blood-thirsty men, banded together. And Friends in some places, 
became great succourers to some of the distressed English, that 
had their houses burnt ; and were themselves driven out of their 
places, being stript of their substance : and a remarkable thing, 
never to be forgotten, was, that they that were in government 
then, seemed to favour us and endeavour to preserve Friends. 
But notwithstanding all endeavours used, Friends sustained 
great losses, and went through many perils, by the outrageous 
rabble and plunderers of the country, besides the hardships of the 
army : so that many lost most of their visible substance, and 
some were stript naked, and their houses and dwellings were set 
on fire over their heads, and burnt to the ground ; and their lives 
were in such danger, that it seemed almost impossible that they 
should be preserved ; yet, in the midst of such lamentable exer- 
cises, the Lord's eminent hand of deliverance wonderfully ap- 
peared to their great admiration and comfort." — Unity's History 
of Friends in Ireland. 

It is also well known, that the safety of conforming to the 
peaceable spirit of the Grospel, was in like manner manifested in 
the case of Friends during the Irish Rebellion, in the year 
1798. 



108 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



to publish it. It seized upon my spirit when I was 
in that nation before, that a day of trial would be 
brought upon the inhabitants thereof ; I beheld 
as if they were encompassed with weapons of war. 
Having cleared myself, I returned to Dublin, and 
took shipping for Whitehaven, where I landed safely, 
and came home as with sheaves in my bosom ; feeling 
the evidence of God's Spirit speaking peace to me, 
which my soul desired more than all. 

In the year 1686, 1 was moved of the Lord to travel 
into the west and south parts of England ; and as 
I was drawn by his Holy Spirit, I was made willing 
to follow him, in which I found true peace ; and as 
my eye was kept single, every day waiting for the 
motion of the word of life, I found the Lord to fit 
and qualify me for every day's service, and endue 
with power from on high. So I took my journey 
through several counties : and when I came to Bristol, 
I found Friends were under great sufferings ; being 
kept out of their meeting-house, the meeting was 
held in the yard : it consisted mostly of women and 
children, many Friends being then in prison ; yet 
the Lord was graciously pleased to own us with the 
overshadowings of his love, whereby we were en- 
couraged to trust in Llim alone, who is able to pre- 
serve his people in the midst of afflictions, and work 
their deliverance at his own pleasure. 

From Bristol I went into Cornwall, and had several 
meetings in places and towns where none had been 
before, and found great openness among the people. 
At Newlyn and Mousehole they threatened to stone 
me ; but the Lord restrained them, and enabled me 
to preach the way of life and salvation in the au- 
thority and power of God, by which many hearts were 
reached, and a love raised in the people. I came 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



109 



away in peace, and returned into Devonshire, where 
I had a meeting in the street at a town called Kirton : 
there were many hundreds of people, some of whom 
were very sober and attentive ; but others behaved 
very rudely and cast stones at me, which was occa- 
sioned by the instigation of a priest, who advised 
them to stone me out of town, (as I was told after- 
wards ;) but the Lord preserved me from harm, and 
gave me courage and boldness to proclaim the ever- 
lasting Gospel amongst them ; his power was richly 
made manifest, and many hearts were reached thereby ; 
divers were convinced 'of the Truth, and a meeting 
was afterwards settled in that town. 

The next day I had a meeting at a place not far 
distant, where were many sober people ; but a con- 
stable came and took me, and carried me before one 
Justice Tuckfield, who said, He was informed that 
I had kept a conventicle, contrary to law. — I asked, 
Who informed him 1 — He replied, I suppose you 
cannot deny it. — I told him, The law did not enjoin 
any man to be his own accuser. — Then in a very mild 
manner he said, The constable informed him ; — at 
which the constable was a little confused, and ap- 
peared ashamed to be called an informer by the 
justice. After some discourse, the justice spoke 
kindly to me, and said, He would show me all the 
favour he could, and if I had any thing further to 
speak, he was willing to hear me. — I replied, I am 
glad that I am brought before a magistrate so willing 
to hear, and from whom I expect justice ; — which 
accordingly I had. I spoke what the Lord opened 
in my heart to him and the rest of the family, who 
seemed to be much affected therewith. Then he gave me 
my liberty, and prayed that God might go along with 
me wheresoever I went. Thus I came to witness that 



110 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



saying of Christ Jesus our Lord to be fulfilled, which 
he spoke to his disciples, viz., " Ye shall be brought 
before governors and kings for iny sake, for a testi- 
mony against them and the Gentiles. But when they 
deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall 
speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour 
what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, 
but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in 
you." — Matt. x. 18 — 20. So I may say, the Lord is 
the same unto all that he sends forth, (though as 
lambs among wolves,) and is mouth and wisdom to 
his little ones ; goes along with them, and bears 
them up in all exercises, blessed be his name for 
ever. 

Then I came into Somersetshire and had many 
blessed meetings : several were convinced of the 
Truth : I also went to Bristol. The storm of per- 
secution being somewhat abated, Friends who had 
been in prison were set at liberty : we had very 
large meetings, and the Lord, by his infinite love, was 
graciously pleased to manifest his power among us, 
by which our hearts were tendered before him. It 
was a day of God's visitation to the inhabitants of 
that city ; many hearts were reached, several were 
convinced and received the Truth. So being clear 
of the city I went into Wiltshire, where a crafty, 
wicked spirit had been at work among Friends, which - 
had separated several from God, his church and 
people j among whom I laboured for the reconciling 
and bringing of them unto God again : and the 
Lord, by his Spirit, enabled me to bear my testimony, 
and the hearts of several were reached and helped 
thereby. When I had visited Friends in that county, 
I appointed a meeting to take my leave of them ; 
and several of the Separates were there, under whose 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



Ill 



dark spirits my soul had been much oppressed, and 
travailed in heaviness and sorrow, which made me 
cry unto the Lord for deliverance ; and He, that 
never said unto the seed of Jacob, " Seek my face in 
vain," heard and answered ; He bore up my spirit in 
deep afflictions, and gave me ability to clear myself, 
and place judgment upon that rending spirit which 
was lifted up above the pure fear of God \ so that I 
came away in great peace, having my heart filled 
with praises unto the Lord. 

Then I travelled into Dorsetshire, visited Friends 
in that county,and had good service; several were con- 
vinced of the Truth. Finding my heart engaged in 
the love of God to visit the inhabitants of the Isle 
of Portland, in obedience to the Lord's requirings I 
went, divers Friends from Weymouth accompanying 
me. We had a meeting there, to which several of 
the inhabitants came : the house not being large 
enough to contain them, we kept the meeting with- 
out doors ; and when I was bowed down in prayer 
unto the Lord, a constable came and dragged me from 
off my knees, with an intent to have cast me into a 
deep pool of water ; but the people would not suffer 
him : so he left me, and I continued supplicating 
the name of the Lord. After I arose from prayer, 
I was engaged in the love of God to bear a testimony 
among the people ; when the constable came again, 
and dragged me from among them, cast me down 
among stones, and bruised my body to the shedding 
of my blood, beat me upon my breast with his fist, 
and said, ' If I would not go out of the island, he 
would put me in the stocks,' — and was going to do 
so, but was hindered by another man. Then the 
people gathered about me, and I exhorted them to 
fear the Lord ; which so enraged the constable, that 



112 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



he took hold of me, and hit me several blows upon 
my breast, and dragged me away, abusing me both 
with hands and tongue until he had wearied himself: 
then he commanded six idle, drunken men, to drag 
me away, who took me by the legs and arms, and 
dragged my head against the stones, whereby I lost 
much blood. Many of the people followed weeping, 
being troubled to see me so much abused ; for some 
of my blood was upon all those that laid violent 
hands upon me. Then the constable came again, 
and struck me several times ; thus they continued 
dragging and beating me until I was scarce able to 
stand, but as I was supported by two Friends. Many 
concluded I was killed ; but the Lord made it very 
easy to me by the sweetness of his love, with which 
my heart was filled to the inhabitants of that island ; 
so that I heartily desired the Lord would forgive 
those that had done me most harm. Many hearts 
were reached that day by the power of God. 

After the meeting was over, I returned to Wey- 
mouth, and had a meeting there that night, to which 
several of the inhabitants came, and a blessed, 
heavenly meeting we had ; the Lord's power and pre- 
sence being manifested amongst us, to the refreshing 
and comforting of our souls. From thence I tra- 
velled to R'ngwood and Southampton, and into the 
Isle of Wight, where I had some service among 
the people : then through Hampshire and Surrey, 
visiting Friends' meetings all along until I came to 
London, where I had a comfortable time among 
Friends. 

After I had visited Friends in that city, I went 
into Kent, and laboured in the work of the gospel 
in that ability God gave to me, in which I found true 
peace ; and many were convinced. From thence I 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



113 



went into Sussex, and when I had visited Friends 
there, returned to London. After some stay there, I 
travelled into Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk ; and the 
Lord largely manifested his love to me, by which I 
was enabled to perform the work and service he had 
called me unto ; so that I found my heart to be daily 
engaged to follow him in the way of his requirings. 
Then I went to Norwich, where Friends had under- 
gone much persecution and imprisonment, but then 
had some liberty : many people came to our meet- 
ings, and were very open to receive the testimony of 
Truth. I had several comfortable meetings among 
God's suffering children. After I had travelled 
through several parts, I returned to London again ; 
where I met with my brethren, who came from several 
parts of this nation to attend the Yearly Meeting. 
The glory of the Lord was richly manifested amongst 
us, and opened our hearts unto him and one unto 
another. Many living testimonies were borne to his 
great name ; so that I may say, it was like the time 
of Pentecost, when the disciples of Christ were met, 
and filled with the Holy Ghost ; for we were met 
with one accord, and our hearts were truly tendered 
in the love of God ; whereby we were enabled to offer 
unto him the sacrifice of broken hearts, acceptable 
and well-pleasing in his sight, who is God, blessed 
for ever. 

Having for some time, had drawings in my mind 
to visit Friends in Holland, and some parts adjacent, 
I took my journey from London along with Peter 
Fearon,* who had the like concern. We went to 

* Peter Fearon resided at Seaton, in Cumberland. He was 
educated in the way of the church of England (so called.) 
During his appprenticeship, he was convinced of the Truth as 
professed by Friends ; and continuing faithful, he became con- 

I 



114 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Colchester, and thence to Harwich, where we took 
shipping : and it was shewed me we should meet 
with some exercise on the coast of Holland ; which 
accordingly we did. For after we made land, we 
took up a ship that was turned adrift, which had 
neither men nor goods in her, a Turkish pirate 
having taken both. Soon after, we came in sight of 
the Turkish vessel, which made after us ; and our men 
began to be afraid, and altered their course, in order 
to make for a point of land that was in sight ; for 
the master said, He would venture our lives and 
the ship, before we should be taken captives by the 
Turks. My mind being inwardly retired to the 
Lord, he shewed me, he would not suffer them to 
harm us ; and that was the strait, which I had a 
sight, we should meet with. So I desired the master 
to alter his course and stand for the harbour ; but he 
was very unwilling • although, after some entreaty, 
he gave orders to bear up the helm and steer for the 
harbour. Then the Turks altered their course, and 
we escaped, and got safe to our desired port at the 
Brill ; having seen the Lord's power made manifest in 
preserving us from the hands of unreasonable men ; 
which brought us under a renewed obligation to bless 
and praise his name. 

cerned to "bear a public testimony to the virtue and excellency of 
it. He travelled in the service of the Gospel in most parts of 
England, as well as in Holland and parts of Germany (as above), 
and visited Friends in Scotland and Ireland several times. He 
was an able minister, sound in doctrine, convincing to gainsayers, 
confirming and edifying to the churches ; very serviceable in 
meetings for discipline, and zealously concerned therein for pro- 
moting good order, being particularly gifted for that excellent 
work. He died in the year 1734, aged 83, having been a minister 
about 54 years. — (See Piety Promoted, part vii.) 



OF JAMES DICKINSON". 115 

The next day, we took our journey for Rotter- 
dam, and the day following had a meeting there, and 
spoke to the people by an interpreter, which was 
something hard for us ; yet the Lord, who called us 
into his service, fitted us for it by his living power, 
and was effectually with us to the bearing up of our 
spirits, and settling them into such a frame as the 
service required. After the meeting was ended, we 
took our journey to Amsterdam, and were there at the 
time of the Yearly Meeting. We had many heavenly 
seasons together ; the Lord overshadowed us with 
his love ; and in that, our hearts were bound up with 
him, and one with another. In that city we had 
much exercise of spirit ; for many people resorted 
thither from several parts, and some were reached by 
the Truth. And after the meetings were over, the 
interpreter told me of a city called Horn, in which 
there was a people inquiring after the Truth ; which 
I was glad of, for I had a concern for the place before 
I left my outward habitation. So we took our 
journey to Alkmaer, and had a meeting there ; then 
went to Horn, where we were gladly received by a 
sober people, who had never been visited by Friends 
before, and were willing to have a meeting with us. 
A meeting was held accordingly, and the Lord 
favoured us with his heavenly power, whereby we 
were enabled to proclaim the everlasting gospel 
amongst them ; which so affected their hearts that 
several confessed to the Truth. We came away in 
peace, took our voyage for Friesland, and travelled 
through it, having several meetings amongst the 
people : the Lord's heavenly power and presence still 
attended, and preserved us both by sea and land ; for 
which we were truly thankful to him, who is God 
worthy for ever. 

i2 



116 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Then we went to Groningen ; also to Embden, 
and Lad a meeting there, to which many of the ma- 
gistrates came. When we were clear of that city, 
we returned back to Amsterdam ; and the Lord was 
pleased to go along with us, and sweetened all our 
exercises. I went to the Jews' Synagogue, and had 
a dispute with one of them in the audience of the 
people. He acknowledged what I spoke was true : I 
was concerned to speak of the new covenant which 
God promised he would make with the house of 
Judah and Israel, Jeremiah xxxi. 33, that He 
would write his law in their hearts, and put his 
Spirit in their minds ; and the law is light, and the 
commandment a lamp, and the reproof of instruction 
is the way of life. Then I asked him, If he did not 
find something in the secret of his heart which re- 
proved him for sin ? — He owned, he did. — I told 
him, That was the appearance of the Spirit of Christ, 
which reproves for sin and unbelief. — Then he asked 
me, If the law was not good, and what I thought 
concerning their worship % — I answered, I may say, 
as the Queen of Sheba said, when she went to see the 
wisdom of Solomon, and the order that was in his 
house, that one half was not told her ; so though 
I had heard of their rudeness and lightness in their 
devotion, yet one half was not told me, of what my 
eyes had seen that day. — I reproved them for it, and 
came away in much peace. 

Then we came to Rotterdam, and took shipping 
for Colchester in England. In our voyage we were 
in danger by reason of a great storm ; but we saw the 
wonders of the Lord wrought for our deliverance, 
and got safe to our intended port ; so that we may 
say, the Lord is large in his love, and of great kind- 
ness to them that are truly given up to follow him. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



117 



Then we travelled to London, where we had deep 
exercises with several bad spirits ; but the Lord was 
with us, and enabled us to bear our testimonies 
against them, and for the Truth, and those that lived 
in obedience thereunto ; amongst whom we were 
truly comforted, finding Truth to prevail and righ- 
teousness to flourish, which was what our souls tra- 
vailed for. 

Having cleared ourselves of that city, we proceeded 
to Reading, and had some service there ; at which 
place I parted with my companion ; then travelled 
into Oxfordshire, and visited Friends : the sweet- 
ness of the love of God was felt in their assemblies, 
which occasioned praises to be sounded forth to his 
name. From thence I went to Bristol and Ross ; 
also to Monmouth, where I had a meeting in the 
Market-house, to which many people came : some 
were very rude and cast a fire-ball at me ; but the 
Lord by his power preserved us, so that it did 
neither me nor any there harm. He gave me power 
to proclaim his everlasting Gospel, and enabled me 
to set the testimony of Truth over the heads of the 
opposers of it ; so that they became very sober, and I 
had time to clear myself amongst them. After the 
meeting was over, they desired me to have another, 
and said, I should have no disturbance : but finding 
myself clear, I went from thence and travelled 
through South Wales, visiting Friends' meetings ; 
and the Lord was with me to my great comfort. 
Then I went to Cardigan along with another Friend ; 
and we had a meeting in the Sessions House, to 
which came the mayor, aldermen, and several people 
of the town. The Lord was with us, and gave 
strength and ability to proclaim the Gospel amongst 
them j by which several hearts were tendered and 



118 



LIFE AND TBAYELS 



reached ; many confessed to the Truth and invited 
us to their houses. We went to visit them, and had 
a dispute with a high professor, relating to our prin- 
ciples and doctrine : the Lord stood by us, and gave 
us wisdom to answer such things as were objected 
against us ; and the people went away generally well 
satisfied. After this meeting, I travelled into North 
Wales, and visited Friends ; and was refreshed amongst 
them in the love of God. At Dolobran I met with 
Thomas Wilson and William Greenup, who were 
travelling towards Bristol ; we had several meetings 
together, and were sweetly refreshed in the love of 
God ; after which I returned home and staid some 
time. 

Then finding my heart engaged to visit Friends in 
Yorkshire, I went in company with another Friend 
to York, where I had many precious meetings ; and 
a concern came upon me to visit those that had gone 
out from amongst Friends into a contentious spirit. 
In obedience to the Lord's requirings I went ; and 
warned them to repent and return unto the Lord 
whilst he strove with them, lest their day of visi- 
tation should pass over, and it might be said, as it 
was to Ephraim, " Let him alone, he is joined unto 
idols :" but it may be said of them as it was of some of 
old, that " they went out from us, because they were 
not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no 
doubt have continued with us ; but they went out, 
that they might be made manifest they were not all 
of us." After I had cleared myself, I came away 
in true peace of soul, travelled through the ea3t 
of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, and 
visited Friends ; then returned home, and had many 
precious meetings amongst my brethren in the love 
of God. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



119 



Some time after, I had a concern upon me to visit 
the churches of Christ in the nation of Ireland : so I 
went to Whitehaven, and took shipping for Dublin. 
The ship's company were high professors, and there 
was also a Presbyterian preacher on board. They 
began to reflect against Friends and their principles ; 
but the Lord gave me wisdom and ability to set the 
Truth over their heads, and to prove our principles 
by Scripture ; which bowed me in thankfulness to the 
Lord, who never forsakes those that are truly con- 
cerned for his Truth and glory ; but bears up their 
spirits in all exercises, and carries them through to 
the exaltation of his own name. We landed safe at 
Dublin, where I met with my dear companion Thomas 
Wilson, and many other travelling Friends from 
several parts of the nation, who were come to the 
Half-year's Meeting, which was very large : a blessed, 
heavenly meeting we had, in the enjoyment of God's 
love, Friends being in sweet unity one with another. 
Our hearts were filled with joy and gladness ; and 
many living testimonies were borne, with heavenly 
exhortations one to another, to be faithful and walk 
worthy of the Lord's tender mercies ; that so they 
might be continued unto us, and we, in the enjoy- 
ment of them, might grow in the life of righteous- 
ness as God's heritage and husbandry, and bring 
forth fruits to his honour. After several days spent 
in such exhortations, and taking inspection into the 
state and affairs of the churches of Christ the nation 
over, the meeting ended in a sense of God's love, 
with hearts full of praises to his holy name. 

After the meeting I travelled through Wicklow 
and Wexford, to the provincial meeting at Limerick ; 
and the Lord was graciously pleased to go along 
with me, and strengthened me with his living presence, 



120 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



whereby I was enabled to answer bis requirings. From 
thence I returned to the provincial meeting at Rosen- 
allis, where I met with John Burnyeat, who was as a 
tender nursing father to me : we had many heavenly 
seasons together. I travelled into the north, where I 
visited Friends, and laboured in that ability God gave 
me ; warning and cautioning people to repent, and turn 
to the Lord whilst the day of their visitation lasted ; ad- 
vising Friends to faithfidness, and to mind their settle- 
ment in the Lord's poiver, that would remain when all 
other things might fail. Then finding myself clear, I re- 
turned to Dublin, and took shipping for Whitehaven, 
where I arrived safely and staid some time. 

Afterwards I went into North Wales, having an- 
other Friend in the ministry along with me ; and the 
Lord enabled us to proclaim his everlasting gospel, 
whereby many hearts were reached, and the churches 
of Christ confirmed. When we had visited North 
Wales, we travelled into the south parts ; into Pem- 
brokeshire, Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire, and so 
to Bristol, Somersetshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall ; 
and had good service. Great exercises attended us 
in divers respects ; the nation was in confusion by 
reason of the revolution of government, which hap- 
pened at that time, and the devouring sword was 
drawn ; but the Lord in mercy, to the people, re- 
strained it. We laboured in the love of God amongst 
them, for the turning of their minds to the light of 
Christ Jesus ; that thereby they might come to know 
him to rule over them, and that Scripture fulfilled, that 
though " every battle of the warrior is with confused 
noise, and garments rolled in blood ; but this shall 
be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a 
Child is born, unto us a Son is given : and the go- 
vernment shall be upon his shoulder : his name shall 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



121 



be called Wonderful, Counselled the Mighty God, 
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace ; of the 
increase of his government and peace there shall be no 
end." — Isa. ix. 5 — 7. Blessed be the name of our 
God, many can say he rules in their hearts, and is 
teaching the same lesson now by his Spirit, that he 
taught his followers when in that prepared body, 
even to love and pray for their enemies ; and these 
know his kingdom (as he said himself,) not to be of 
this world, therefore they cannot fight ; but are sub- 
ject to the royal law, to do to all men as they would 
be done by. In this peaceable spirit we travelled, 
and laboured to preach the gospel in many parts of 
this nation. So came to London to the Yearly 
Meeting, where Friends from several parts were ; 
and the Lord, by his heavenly power, overshadowed 
our souls, and opened the fountain of wisdom amongst 
us, which was in many as deep waters, and flowed 
through them to the refreshing of God's heritage ; in 
a sense of which the meeting ended. After we had 
travelled through Sussex and Kent, I, with my com- 
panion, returned to York, and was at the Yearly 
Meeting there ; then went home, where I staid some 
time. 

Finding drawings in my mind to visit the churches 
of Christ in the east of England, I travelled into 
Lincolnshire, and some other parts ; then into Not- 
tinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Glou- 
cestershire, and so to Bristol, where I met with my 
companion Thomas Wilson. We travelled together 
as far as the Land's End, and had good service in 
several places, having meetings in towns where none 
had been before. I came back by Bristol, into Wales, 
through Gloucestershire ; and through some part 
of Oxfordshire, by London to Surrey, and Hamp- 



122 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



shire. After I had visited Friends in those counties, 
I returned to London to the Yearly Meeting, where 
1 met with many brethren; and we were comforted in 
the Lord, and had sweet unity and concord together. 
After the meeting, dear John Tiffin,* a Friend in the 
ministry, and I, travelled through Berkshire and 
Wiltshire to Bristol ; from whence we returned home 
in peace, with true thankfulness for the Lord's con- 
tinued favours. 

* John Tiffin, who resided at Mockeskin, near Pardshaw in 
Cumberland, travelled at various times in the work of the mi- 
nistry. In the year 1654 he went to Ireland. At that early 
period in the history of Friends, there were but very few of them 
in that nation : with these few, and in endeavouring to promote the 
further spreading of the Truth, John Tiffin spent five or six weeks. 
His ministry was at that time, in few words, but edifying and 
very serviceable. He attended the small meeting held in "Wil- 
liam Edmundson's house at Lurgan, (the first settled meeting of 
Friends in Ireland,) and travelled with him to several places : 
they had good service for Truth, although through great opposi- 
tion. At Belfast, the inhabitants shut their ears, doors, and 
hearts against them ; yet this did not hinder them from holding 
a meeting near that town, in the open air. They sat down, and 
kept their meeting in a place where three lanes met, and were a 
wonder to the people who came about them ; and something was 
spoken to direct their minds to God's Spirit in their own hearts. 
These exercises, though in much weakness and fear, spread the 
name and fame of Truth ; thereby many honest people were 
induced to inquire after it, the number" of Friends increased in 
those parts, and some were added to the meeting at Lurgan. 
In the next year, John Tiffin visited Ireland again, with J ames 
Lancaster. At a meeting held on the green at Lurgan, in the 
course of this visit, these Friends and William Edmundson met 
with much personal abuse. — See Butty's History. 

In the year 1676, J. T. accompanied John Burnyeat through 
Westmoreland and Yorkshire, to London ; and in 1684, into the 
north of England and Scotland.— See Whiting's Memoirs— Re 
also took a short journey with James Dickinson in 1695.— See 
page 144. He died in the Twelfth Month 1700-1. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



123 



In the year 1690, I had a concern upon me to visit 
Friends in Scotland, and in company with another 
Friend, travelled into the west, where we had good 
service. Then we crossed through the country to 
Edinburgh, where many hearts were reached by the 
Truth. From thence we went down into the north 
to Robert Barclay's at Ury ; he travelled to Aber- 
deen with us, and through the north, and visited 
Friends. It was a time when there were great troubles 
in the nation, but the Lord preserved us every way ; 
and we returned to Robert Barclay's house to a 
General Meeting. At that time, dear Robert Barclay 
took the sickness, of which, a few days after we left 
his house, he died. I was thereby sorrowfully 
affected, in consideration of the loss the nation 
would have of him ; but our loss is his everlasting 
gain.* 

After having travelled and laboured in the work of 
the gospel, through many dangers both inward and 
outward, we returned home as with sheaves in our 
bosoms ; being truly thankful unto the Lord, in that 
he had preserved us out of the hands of unreasonable 
men, and assisted us by his Spirit to answer his 

* " James Dickinson visited Robert Barclay when on his death- 
bed : as he sat by him, the Lord's power and presence bowed their 
hearts together, and Robert Barclay was sweetly melted in the 
sense of God's love, and with tears expressed his love to all faithful 
brethren in England, who keep their integrity to the Truth ; and 
added, ' Remember my love to Friends in Cumberland, and at 
Swarthmore, and to dear George,' meaning George Fox, ' and to 
all the faithful everywhere and [further] said, ■ God is good still, 
and though I am under great weight of sickness and weakness 
as to my body, yet my peace flows ; and this I know, whatever 
exercises may be permitted to come upon me, it shall tend to 
God's glory and my salvation ; and in that I rest.' He died 
the 3rd of the Eighth Month, 1690."— Piety Promoted, art iii. 



124 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



requirings : we found true peace to flow, and a wil- 
lingness wrought in our hearts to follow Him where- 
ever He was pleased to draw us, who is known to go in 
and out before his people ; blessed be his name for ever. 

On the 23rd of the Eleventh Month, 1690, I took 
my journey for London. At Swarthmore, I met 
with the tidings of the removal of our dear friend 
George Fox, which occasioned deep sorrow in my 
heart : but when I turned my mind to the Lord, 
I found he had done iJie ivork of his day, and was 
gone to rest ; and we must be content ; and they would 
be happy that followed his footsteps. I proceeded to 
London, visiting Friends as I went ; from thence to 
Kingston, where I met with my companion Thomas 
"Wilson. We returned to London, and afterwards 
went into Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridge- 
shire, and had good service for the Truth : then 
returned to London again, where we staid the Yearly 
Meeting, and were truly refreshed in the love of God 
with our faithful brethren. 

After the Yearly Meeting, I, with my dear com- 
panion Thomas Wilson, took our voyage for Barba- 
does ; a concern having been upon me for many 
years, to visit Friends in America. The fulness of 
time being come, a willingness was wrought in my 
heart through the power of God, that I freely gave 
up to answer his requirings ; having experience he 
had not failed to help in the midst of imminent 
dangers : such were very apparent at that time, the 
English and French being at war. We left London 
on the 13th of the Fourth Month, 1691. Many 
Friends accompanied us down to Gravesend, where 
we had a meeting next day, and took our leave of 
Friends in much love and tenderness. The day fol- 
lowing we went on board the ship and sailed to the 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



125 



Downs, where we (staying some days for the fleet,) 
went ashore and had several precious meetings : the 
Lord's power was manifested to our great comfort ; 
by which we were made willing to take our lives as 
in our hands, leave our native country, and all in 
this world that was near to us, in obedience to his 
pure will. 

From hence we set sail, and touched at Plymouth 
and Falmouth, where we went ashore and had several 
precious meetings : the Lord's wonted presence was 
witnessed, and we were comforted with our Friends ; 
praises be to his holy name for ever. We set sail 
from Falmouth on the 9th of the Fifth Month, and 
lost sight of land that night, being eighteen sail in 
company. After we had sailed a few days, we met 
with the French fleet, consisting of sixty or more 
vessels : they came up with us, fired several times 
at us, and laboured to compass us round ; so that 
there seemed little or no hopes for any of us to escape. 
But our cries and supplications were to the Lord, by 
whom deliverance comes, and true help is known in 
the time of need : and he, in this strait, made mani- 
fest his power ; and in an unexpected way to the eye 
of reason, deliverance came. We were not so much 
concerned for the loss of any thing in this world, or 
the cruelty they would inflict upon us, as for the 
honour and reputation of his Truth ; lest the enemies 
thereof should falsely vaunt themselves and say, — 
that God whom we served, was not able to save and 
carry us through in our service. But the Lord, who 
sees the sincerity of all hearts, shewed his wonders ; 
according to that saying of the Psalmist, " they that 
go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great 
waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his 
wonders in the deep :" for the Lord heard us and 



126 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



granted our request, when most of our visible hopes 
were gone, After all our fleet had struck and were 
taken by the French, except our ship and two others, 
and they were coming up to take ours, about the 
first hour in the afternoon, a thick fog came on and 
spread around us, which prevented them in their 
design. The fog continued for about four hours : 
then it became clear, and we discovered a large 
ship to windward, which was one of the French fleet. 
She bore down upon us • but before she got up with 
us, the fog came on again and encompassed us about : 
[afterwards] the night came on, and we saw her no 
more. Then, not only ourselves, but all the ship's 
crew, confessed it was the Lord's doings. Next day 
we espied two ships to leeward, to which we hoisted 
English colours, and they answered ; being the two 
of our own company which had escaped the French. 
When First-day came, the masters and several of 
their crews and passengers of the other two ships, 
came aboard ours, and we had a meeting on the 
quarter-deck : the Lord's power was with us, and 
Truth's testimony was declared amongst them : several 
confessed thereto ; and our hearts were broken in a 
sense of God's love and wonderful mercies, that over- 
shadowed our souls in secret retirement, upon the 
deep ocean. The captain of our ship was a very 
loving, kind man to us. 

When we came into the latitude of Barbadoes, a 
ship to windward bore down upon us, which our 
master took to be a French privateer. He made pre- 
paration to fight her, and ordered all the passengers 
but Thomas and I, to take their quarters ; saying to 
us, ' As for you, I know it is contrary to your prin- 
ciple to fight ; Lord forbid I should compel any man 
contrary to his conscience ! take your quarters with 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



127 



the doctor at which the other passengers were 
angry. I told them, — To show it was not cowardice 
but conscience, we would take our quarters upon the 
quarter-deck ; which set the testimony of Truth over 
them, and they were quiet. When the ship came 
up with us, it proved an English vessel. We pro- 
ceeded on our voyage, and landed at Bridgetown in 
Barbadoes, on the 24th of the Sixth Month. We 
found the hand of the Lord upon the inhabitants of 
that island, in visiting them with great sicknesses, 
of which many hundreds died. Our hearts being 
filled with the love of God, we were largely drawn 
forth to proclaim the everlasting gospel to the people ; 
and although the sickness was very infectious, and 
many that went over with us died, yet the Lord pre- 
served us, and we went on in our service : he was effec- 
tually with us, and by his power the inhabitants of 
the island were alarmed. People nocked to our 
meetings, and they were full and large ; many were 
convinced, Friends confirmed, the mouths of gain- 
sayers stopped, and the hearts x>f the faithful were 
made truly glad. 

When we had travelled the island several times 
over, finding our spirits easy, we returned to Bridge- 
town j were at their general meeting, and had a fine 
season to take our leave of Friends ; cautioning them 
to live in unity toget/ier, and to keep in the one Spirit, 
that would keep them in one mind; in which they would 
appear as lilies among thorns, and grow in the life of 
righteousness : in much tenderness the meeting ended. 
The ship being under sail, we went to the water side, 
many people accompanying us. We were broken 
and tendered together in the sense of God's love ; 
and in much bowed-downness of spirit, our hearts 
were filled with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord 



128 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



God and the Lamb. We set sail for New York, on 
the 22nd of the Eighth Month, and had a comfortable 
voyage till we came near the coast of the main land, 
where we met with a north-west storm ; but through 
some difficulty arrived in New York harbour, on the 
23rd of the Ninth Month. From thence we went to 
Long Island, and were at a general meeting, which 
was very large and full : our hearts were knit to- 
gether in the love of God and unity of the one Spirit. 
We visited Friends generally in the island, and found 
great openness to preach the gospel of salvation unto 
the inhabitants thereof ; for the Lord was with us, 
and was pleased to be mouth and wisdom to us, 
for the convincing and settling of many upon the 
Rock, Christ Jesus, who is a sanctuary to his people, 
where they dwell safely, and are quiet from fear of 
evil. 

Being clear of the island, we took boat at New 
York and passed over to East J ersey, where we had 
many heavenly meetings. After we had visited 
Friends in East and West Jersey, and had good 
service among the people, we went into Pennsylvania, 
where meetings were full and large. Our hearts were 
opened, and strength was given to publish the word of 
God : he bore up our spirits in deep exercises, in our 
inward wrestlings and outward travels. It was the 
depth of winter, and meetings were held without 
doors, sometimes when there was deep snow ; the 
meeting-houses not being large enough to contain 
the people. There is a tender-hearted people in that 
country, who love the Lord : we laboured and tra- 
vailed for their growth and settlement in the Truth. 
After having had many heavenly meetings among 
them, we felt pressed in our minds to get on our 
journey. We travelled through the woods and wilder- 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



129 



ness in deep snow ; and passed through many dangers 
in crossing the rivers upon the ice, until we came to 
Chester river in Maryland. Here we met with a 
few Friends, and had a good meeting among them. 
From thence we went down to Choptank, and visited 
Friends there ; then took boat over Chesapeak bay 
to the western shore in Maryland. It was hard frost, 
and we had to wade deep among the ice to get forth 
of the boat, because the sands prevented it from 
coming to the shore. Having got safely to land, we 
were the next day at their Quarterly Meeting ; where 
we laboured for the stirring up of all to righteous- 
ness, and that nothing might be given way to, that 
brings a reproach to our holy profession and pollutes 
the camp of God ; also that our unity might be kept 
in the bond of peace. 

When we had visited Friends on that shore, we 
took boat to cross the bay again. Night coming on 
and a thick fog, we missed our course and were cast 
upon an island ; where we got to a house and lay on 
the ground among the negroes until next morning ; 
then we set forward and got to the other side, and 
visited Friends. From thence we travelled to the 
eastern shore in Virginia ; having to pass over many 
dangerous rivers in boats and canoes. But the Lord 
still continued his mercies to us and his care over us, 
and many times manifested his power for our de- 
liverance. Being clear of that side, we crossed 
Chesapeak bay to the western shore in Virginia with 
some difficulty, and landed from James river. Next 
day we took our journey, visited Friends, and had 
good service. Then we proceeded through the wil- 
derness to Carolina ; where the floods were so great 
that we could not travel on horseback, but waded 
barefoot through swamps and waters for several miles. 



130 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Friends and pother] people were glad to see us, they 
not having had any visit from a travelling Friend 
for several years before : we had many comfortable 
meetings among them. 

After we were clear, we took our journey back 
through the wilderness to the General Meeting at 
Chucatuck in Virginia. We warned them to keep 
out of the superfluous fashions of the world, which had 
too much prevailed among many. The Lord, by his 
power, broke in upon the meeting, and the entrance 
of his word gave life : the weak were confirmed, the 
faithful comforted, and judgment placed upon the 
head of the transgressor and that spirit of separation 
which was among them. 

After we were clear of those parts, we went towards 
the falls of James river ; where we found a great 
openness among the people, several being convinced : 
we laboured in love for their settlement in the 
Truth, and the blessed order thereof : they were very 
willing to hearken to counsel, and received us gladly. 
From thence we went through the woods to Black 
Creek, (a place which had not been visited by Friends 
before,) and had a meeting there ; to which the sheriff 
and some officers with him came. When I was de- 
claring the Truth among the people, the sheriff asked 
me, By whose authority I came there % — I told 
him, — In the authority of the great God, to whom we 
must give an account. — After some discourse, he 
commanded us to leave the meeting ; — I desired him 
to shew his moderation, and hear what we had to 
say ; upon which, he and the officers went away, and 
we kept our meeting quietly, and several were reached 
by the Truth. After the meeting, we took our jour- 
ney towards Maryland, and travelled about a hundred 
miles through the wilderness without a guide, ex- 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



131 



cept part of the first day. That night we lodged in the 
woods, where we made a fire against the cold, and to 
keep the wild beasts from us ; it being in the First 
Month, and very cold weather. Next morning early we 
set forward, and travelled most part of the day. Near 
the evening we met with two men : one of them who 
was a justice, kindly invited us to his house, it being 
about ten miles distant : we went along with him, 
staid two or three days at his house, and had a 
meeting there : the justice was very loving and con- 
fessed to the Truth. Then we passed over Potomack 
river in a small Norway yawl, where I swam my 
horse three miles. We travelled through the woods to 
Patuxent river ; passed over to the western shore in 
Maryland, with much difficulty, danger, and charge ; 
and had many comfortable meetings in those parts. 
We then crossed Chesapeak bay, and travelled hard 
to get to the Yearly Meeting at Salem in Jersey, 
which was held in the Second Month. Here we met 
Friends from most parts of the country ; had many 
glorious meetings ; and were livingly opened to pro- 
claim the everlasting gospel and day of God's love to 
the mourners in Sion, encouragement to the weak 
and feeble, and judgment to the fat and full. The 
meeting ended in love and unity, and our hearts 
were filled with praises to the Lord. 

After the meeting at Salem, we went, in much 
bowed-downness of spirit, to Philadelphia, where 
George Keith had drawn several out from Friends 
into a separate spirit, to the dishonour of Truth and 
themselves. But the Lord was pleased eminently to 
favour us with his power and presence : he was 
mouth and wisdom to us, and enabled us to set the 
testimony of Truth over all the opposers of it, so 
that many hearts were reached and confirmed therein- 

k2 



132 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



(For a more full account, see Thomas Wilson's 
J ournal.) 

When we were clear of those parts, we set for- 
ward with several other Friends, to the Yearly Meet- 
ing on Long Island. We found Friends there in 
sweet unity, and had many heavenly meetings ; many 
hearts were tendered by the Lord's power, and the 
meeting ended in a sense of his love. After having 
had meetings at several other places on the island, 
(to which many people flocked, and in which our 
hearts were opened to proclaim the gospel of life and 
salvation,) we took ship for Rhode Island, and landed 
there the day before the Yearly Meeting began. 
Friends received us in that love by which we were 
drawn to visit them. We were many times favoured 
with the flowings of the pure life : the Lord over- 
shadowed our souls, opened the fountain of his wis- 
dom, and caused his doctrine to drop as the dew. 
The faithful were comforted, the careless awakened, 
and the wicked warned to repent. Friends were 
stirred up to keep to the heavenly order of the gospel; 
to support their testimonies in the life of Truth; to be 
careful to watch over one another for good; to keep in 
the love of God ; and to train up their children in the 
ivay of Truth. When we had thus laboured and eased 
our spirits, we found the Lord near us, watering our 
spirits with the showers of his love ; and our hearts 
were filled with thanksgiving to his most worthy name. 

Then we travelled into Plymouth colony, in New 
England, and had many precious meetings amongst 
the professors : some were sober and were convinced, 
but others remained in their persecuting spirit, re- 
jecting the Truth. At Sandwich, the priest came 
and disputed with me about religion : at first, he 
seemed pretty moderate, but I was concerned to lay 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



133 



open his deceit, at which he grew peevish : then my 
companion had much discourse with him, and he 
was made to confess to the Truth. After which we 
went to Yarmouth, and found a tender-hearted 
people, and had service among them. As we re- 
turned, I overtook another priest on the road ; he 
put several queries to me, which I answered, and he 
confessed it was Truth. When we were about to 
part, he asked, Where I was going % — I told him, To 
Boston ; — he said, He had known a time when it 
would have been a dear going there for me. — I told 
him, That was no credit to them, and that God would 
require it at their hands : — to which he confessed, 
and said, He was always against persecuting the 
Quakers, for which he was envied by many. — I asked 
him, If he had ever declared his mind in writing to 
the world, and denied such bloody practices ? — He 
answered, He had not ; but at all times appeared 
against it. So we parted from him and travelled to 
Boston, and had many public meetings in that place : 
but the hearts of the people were so hard and set 
against the Truth, notwithstanding the judgments of 
God which were fallen upon them for their wicked- 
ness, that few of them would receive our testimony. 
After we had visited Boston and Salem, and the 
meetings thereabout, we returned to Rhode Island, 
and had several precious meetings there. 

Then we returned to Boston and Salem; so to 
Hampt on, where the people had left their habitations 
and were gone into forts, for fear of the French and 
Indians ; who had burned several towns, and carried 
many of the people captive to Canada. In this time 
of great fear, we found an openness among the 
people, and had a time to clear ourselves : after 
which we returned, not without some danger, (the 



134 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Indians having taken and killed people on the road 
that day) to Salem and Boston. Then an exer- 
cise came upon us to visit the Narraganset country, 
where no Friends dwelt ; we therefore proceeded 
through Plymouth colony, and had several meetings. 
At "Warwick we had a large meeting, and several 
were convinced of the Truth. After which we 
travelled to Providence Yearly Meeting. Many 
hundreds of people were there : the Lord's power 
eminently broke in amongst us, and our hearts were 
melted together. After the meeting we took boat, and 
passed over to Rhode Island ; where we had to stir up 
the people to faithfulness. We then went into the 
Narraganset country, and had good service there ; 
several were convinced, and the mouths of gainsayers 
stopped. The Lord's power and love sweetly over- 
shadowed us, and when our service was over, we left 
with sheaves in our bosoms, and returned to Boston 
in order to take shipping for Barbadoes. During 
our stay at Boston we had several meetings : Truth 
broke through and made way, whereby we were com- 
forted amongst Friends ; praises be to the Lord for 
ever. 

On the 17th of the Sixth Month, 1692, we took 
shipping at Boston for Barbadoes. After we had 
been some days at sea, our vessel sprung a leak, and 
our pumps would not clear her. Upon search, we 
found the place and got it stopped. In the night 
following, we met with a great storm, which continued 
for three days : most of the ship's crew concluded we 
should be cast away; but the Lord remembered us in 
mercy ; for he rebuked the winds and the seas, and 
filled our souls with the joy of his salvation. The 
master of the ship and company were great pro- 
fessors, and enemies in their minds to us and our 



OF JAMES DICKINSON", 



135 



principles : we had some discourse with them, and 
the Lord gave us wisdom to stand in our testimony, 
and keep our peace- The master said, If he was 
taken by the French, it would be because he had the 
Quakers on board. But though there was a privateer 
in the latitude of Barbadoes, we landed safe at 
Bridgetown in that island, on the 2nd of the Eighth 
Month. 

After the ship had staid a few weeks, they put to 
sea again ; and she was taken in sight of the island 
in their return, when no Quakers were on board, and 
carried to Martinico by the French ; which might 
plainly convince him of the erroneous judgment he 
had, relating to the Quakers. 

Friends in Barbadoes were glad to see us, and we 
them. The hand of the Lord was still upon the in- 
habitants, and many were taken away by death in 
sore distempers : also the negroes at that time made 
a plot, intending to kill all the white people in the 
island : but it being discovered, they were prevented ; 
although the white people were in great fear. We 
laboured amongst them in the love of God, and his 
presence filled our assemblies ; by which the hearts 
of his people were greatly tendered : many that 
were strangers to the operation of Truth in their 
hearts, were reached by the power of God, and we 
favoured and preserved, both inwardly and outwardly. 
Friends were in sweet unity and concord, and in 
much tenderness we parted with them. 

On the 19th of the Ninth Month, we took ship- 
ping for Antigua, and landed there on the 23rd of 
the same. We found a few Friends, who were glad 
to see us : but the inhabitants were very wicked : 
yet the love of God was largely extended towards 
them, and we laboured in that ability given unto us ; 



136 LIFE AND TRAVELS 

which so affected their hearts, that several were 
reached by the power of God, and received the Truth 
in the love of it, during our stay there. Having 
cleared ourselves of the work and service which the 
Lord required of us, on the 30th of the Tenth Month, 
we took shipping for Nevis. The next day after we 
had set forward, we narrowly escaped a French pri- 
vateer, which was upon the coast and took a ship 
out of the harbour that night : we could not but 
admire the Lord's mercy in preserving us from the 
hands of unreasonable men ; and our hearts were truly 
thankful unto him for his manifold preservations. 
Friends of the island having intelligence of our 
coming there, two of them were upon the shore wait- 
ing for us, who received us kindly. We staid some 
time on the island : the Lord's hand had been heavy 
upon the inhabitants, and had numbered many of them 
to the grave by a malignant distemper. Our hearts 
were opened to proclaim the everlasting gospel amongst 
them, and we warned them to repent and turn to the 
Lord whilst his visitation was extended to them. Many 
hearts were reached by the power of God, and made 
to confess unto the Truth ; and we found our peace 
continued and increased with the Lord. And when 
we were ready to go out of the island, we went to 
the governor, in order to have our certificate signed 
by him ; but he refused and said, We should not go 
off the island. So we left him, and told the master 
of the vessel with whom we had agreed for our pas- 
sage, who said he would go with us to the governor : 
a sober man that was a justice, wrote to him also on 
our behalf. When we appeared again before the go- 
vernor, he seemed very high ; yet after some discourse, 
said, For the master's and justice's sakes he would 
sign it j but as for us, we might be spies. — I told 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



137 



him, We were no spies, but true men, and did not 
come out of England unknown to the government. 
Then I showed him a pass which we had from the 
Secretary of State, wherein the governors of the 
several islands within the dominions of England, 
were commanded to let us pass : after which he 
seemed very kind, and asked, Why we did not show 
him it before 1 — We told him, We had not shown it 
then, but to satisfy him we were true men, and came 
in the love of God to visit the inhabitants : so we 
parted very friendly. 

We took shipping for Whitehaven, on the 26 th of 
the Twelfth Month, 1692 ; and as soon as we got on 
board the vessel, the Lord wonderfully favoured us 
with his living presence, which caused tears of joy to 
flow. We landed safe at the Highlands in Scotland, 
on the 15th of the Second Month, 1693, and from 
thence travelled into Cumberland, home. 



138 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



CHAPTER II. 

Beligious service in various parts of England, "Wales, and Ireland 
— His Marriage — A Warning proclaimed through many of the 
streets of London — Visit to some northern and eastern conn- 
ties — Epistle to the Yearly Meeting in London — His second 
visit to America — Epistle to Friends in the "West Indies. 

After staying a few weeks at home, we took our 
journey to the Yearly Meeting at London. Friends 
were glad to see us safe returned from America. 
After the meetings, which were to satisfaction and 
comfort of Friends, I returned homeward, attended 
the Yearly Meeting at York, and had good service 
there ; also visited several other meetings in that 
county ; so into Cumberland, and laboured, in the 
ability given, for the stirring up of Friends to their 
religious duties. 

At this time I was engaged with a young woman, 
belonging to our own meeting at Pardshaw-Cragg, in 
order for marriage ; but finding I had some further 
service to perform before the accomplishing of our 
marriage, I acquainted her therewith : she desired me 
to mind the Lord's requirings, and answer them ; and 
not to he any way straitened on her account. 

On the 8th of the Ninth Month, 1693, I took my 
journey into Westmoreland ; and had a warning to all 
who were convinced of the Truth, to keep their minds 
more inward with the Lord, that they might know the 
zoork of his power to redeem them out of the earth , and 
draw their affections more heavenward ; and that the 
younger sort might he weaned from the delights and 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



130 



vanities of the world. Then I went to Sedbergh, and 
through the dales of Yorkshire, to the eastward, and 
had good service for the Truth ; and went forward 
on my journey, byway of Lincolnshire, up to London. 
After my service in that city was over, I was drawn 
into Kent ; where I found many that had been con- 
vinced by Truth's testimony, when I was in that 
county in the year 1686 : several of them were well 
grown in the Truth, and I had good service among 
them. When I was clear of those parts, I travelled 
into Sussex and Hampshire, and found a concern 
upon me to visit those who had run out into separa- 
tion with John Story, at Reading. I went to the 
separate Meeting, and sat down in silence to wait 
for the motion of the word of life from heaven. I 
found them in an exalted mind, above the pure fear 
of the Lord, which occasioned my soul to mourn : 
and although one Charles Harris, an opposer of 
Friends, and leader into separation, charged things 
on me falsely, which he was not able to prove, yet I 
cleared myself, and came away in peace of mind, and 
went to Friends' Meeting. But that being near over, 
I desired to have another meeting with them in the 
afternoon, to which many of the Separates came. 
The high-minded were judged, and the humble 
revived, by the powerful operation of God's love ; and 
several that had been drawn aside into separation, 
signified their satisfaction with the meeting. 

From thence I travelled into Dorsetshire, and 
visited Friends and many people ; warning them to 
repent and turn to the Lord ; exhorting Friends to 
be careful, and keep more inward with the Lord, and 
ivalk as becomes our holy profession. When I came 
near the Island of Portland, where I had formerly 
been abused, a concern came upon me to visit [the 



140 



LIFE AND TBAVELS 



people there :] several Friends went with me from 
Weymouth. As we passed through the villages, I 
exhorted the inhabitants to repent, and turn unto the 
Lord, whilst he strove with them. Some were sober, 
but others envious ; and one man who belonged to 
the castle, raged much, and bid me depart out of 
the island. I reproved him for his behaviour. He 
told me, he would fire all the guns in the castle, and 
raise the inhabitants to put me out of the island ; 
but we went on until we came to the place where I 
had been abused before, and had a meeting there, 
to which many of the inhabitants came. I preached 
unto them the way of life and salvation, by and 
through the demonstration and power of God. 
Whilst I was speaking, the man who belonged to 
the castle, came with a drawn sword in his hand, 
and made several passes at me ; yet had no power to 
hurt me. A Friend spoke to him, and told him, 
he unmanned himself in offering to strike at one 
that would not strike again. Then he seemed 
ashamed, and was somewhat sober ; and after having 
cleared myself, I went away in great peace. Thence 
I travelled through Somersetshire and Bristol, to the 
Yearly Meeting in Wales, where I met with my dear 
companion Thomas Wilson ; also William Greenup, 
and Friends from most parts of Wales. We had a 
sweet, refreshing meeting, the Lord's power was 
manifested to our great comfort, and the affairs of 
the church were managed in much love and tender- 
ness. A godly zeal appeared in Friends against 
every thing that would bring a dishonour upon the 
holy Truth, and scandal upon our profession : many 
living testimonies were borne both in the Welch and 
English tongues : a sweet harmony of love and life 
attended us, and we were comforted in the Lord and 



OF JASIES DICKINSON. 



141 



one another. We had good service at that meeting 
in helping Friends in discipline ; and the meeting 
ended in the love of God. Tidings having reached 
us of the death of John ap John's wife, it was on my 
mind to attend the burial;* and I went accordingly. 
Many people of various opinions were there ; and I 
had a concern to publish the everlasting gospel. 
The Lord was with me, gave me his word and 
strength to publish it ; and his power was over all. 
Then I went to Bala, and had a meeting. 

After my service in Wales, I took shipping at Holy- 
head for Dublin ; where I landed safely, it being near 
the time of their national Half-year's Meeting. I 
staid in Dublin till it was over ; then travelled into the 
north, and warned Friends to Jceep more inward with 
the Lord, and wait to feel the operation of his power to 
cleanse their minds and hearts. I travelled hard, and 
had good service ; the minds of people being much 
humbled by reason of the great calamity which had 
happened in that nation, many habitations being 
left desolate by the late wars. I travelled into Lein- 
ster and Minister, and had good service ; many hearts 
were reached by the power of God, and several con- 
vinced of the blessed Truth. Now finding myself 
clear of the work the Lord called me unto in this 
nation, I returned to Dublin, it being about the 
Sixth Month, 1694, and took shipping for White- 
haven. In our voyage, we narrowly escaped a French 
privateer : after which I landed safe, and travelled 
home, having had a prosperous journey in the will 
of God. 

During my stay at home, I found freedom in the 
love of God to accomplish my marriage with the 
young woman before-mentioned. In great humility 
and fear, I besought the Lord that he would sanctify 



142 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



a married state to me, and keep my mind out of the 
entanglements of the world ; that so I might not be 
hurt as to my service in the work of the ministry, 
whereunto I had been called. In a bowed frame of 
mind, we laid our intentions before Friends ; and 
proceeded and accomplished the same, according to 
the good order established amongst us. I saw at 
that time, something like to creep in amongst us, that 
would do hurt in the church, namely, the making of 
great provision at marriage dinners, and inviting 
many people after the marriage. I felt a stop in my 
mind, from making more provision than usual ; and 
in attending thereto, found true peace. We came 
quietly home ; the Lord owned us with his living 
presence, and his love overshadowed us ; blessed be 
his holy name for ever. 

In a few weeks after, I had a concern for the city 
of London, which very much bowed my mind : my 
wife understanding it, desired me to answer what I 
believed to be my duty ; and said, she only desired to 
enjoy what she enjoyed, in God y s favour ; which did 
greatly add to my comfort. So I took my journey 
and went to Swarthmore ; and proceeding, visited 
several meetings on my way. When I was about 
twenty miles from London, tidings came of the 
Queen's death ; which put people's minds into some con- 
sternation. When I got to London, I had a -concern 
to go to Westminster meeting; and there being a large 
gathering of people of several persuasions, I preached 
the everlasting gospel by and through the demon- 
stration and power of God ; warning them to repent, 
turn to the Lord, and consider their latter end ; shew- 
ing them that the grave equals all, as to the things of 
this life; and the great difference betiveen the righteous 
and the wicked in the other world ; referring to the 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



143 



parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Many hearts 
were reached by the power of God, for it was a day 
of visitation to them : the meeting ending in a sense 
of God's love. Then the Lord shewed unto me that 
I must go through the streets of that great city, and 
warn the people to repent; which deeply bowed my 
mind; and I laboured under the weight thereof several 
days, and would gladly have discovered it to my 
brethren in the work of the gospel. But the word 
of the Lord came unto me saying, i See thou tell it to 
no man, until thou deliver it as I commanded thee; 9 
which was to begin at Whitechapel, and go through 
the main streets of the city, and proclaim this mes- 
sage, Wo! Wo f Wo J from the Lord, to the croivn of 
pride in, this place ; for the vials of his wrath will he 
poured down upon it: therefore I am made to warn 
all people to repent, that the Lord may shew them 
mercy. I went with this message about three miles 
through the city ; and in answering the Lord's re- 
quirings, witnessed peace to flow in my soul. His 
arm was stretched forth for my deliverance, and gave 
me strength and boldness to bear my testimony 
among the people : and not a hand was lifted up 
against me. The consideration of the Lord's deal- 
ings deeply bowed my spirit, and made me to say, 
he is worthy to be obeyed in all his requirings ; for all 
his paths are paths of peace; blessed be his holy name 
for ever. 

Being clear of the city, I returned home, and 
laboured in the work of the gospel in our county : 
then visited Friends in Northumberland and Durham, 
and had good service. 

Having, for some time, had drawings in my mind 
to visit Friends again in America, the consideration 
thereof brought deep exercise upon my spirit, and 



144 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



often bowed me under a sense of God's love to his 
heritage and people the world over. I was made 
willing to leave all, and follow the motion of his 
eternal Spirit. And when I told my wife of the con- 
cern which was laid upon me, she desired me to mind 
my freedom in the Lord, and let no worldly affairs 
kinder rne; but answer his requirings : so I acquainted 
my brethren therewith, and they had unity with me 
therein, which was a strength to me. 

On the 8th of the Ninth Month, 1695, I took my 
journey towards London, in order to take shipping 
for America : John Tiffin, Peter Fearon, and several 
other Friends accompanied me to Swarthmore : we 
staid their First day's meeting, and were sweetly 
comforted together. Next day we attended the 
burial of Daniel Abraham's younger son : many 
people of note in the country were there : I de- 
clared the way of life and salvation unto the people, 
and many hearts were reached. The next morning 
John Tiffin, Peter Fearon, and a young man, went 
-over the sands with me. John Tiffin being ancient, and 
taken ill upon the sands, with much difficulty got to 
Lancaster \ where we met with John Gratton, and had 
a comfortable meeting among Friends : after which 
John Tiffin and the young man returned homewards. 
Peter Fearon and I went towards London, and had 
meetings at several places, as at Stockport, Notting- 
ham, and Leicester. The presence of the Lord bore 
up our spirits, and kept us near him and one another, 
in our travels for the good of God's heritage. 

On the 21st of the Ninth Month, we got to London. 
The ships not being ready, we staid in the city about 
three weeks ; labouring in the ability given us for the 
gathering people to God, and settling and building- 
up of those that were already gathered, into the one 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



Ho 



Spirit and most holy faith. Then Peter Fearon re- 
turning homeward, I accompanied him to W altham 
Abbey j and so to Hertford, where we had a large and 
heavenly meeting ; then to Hitchin, and from thence 
into Bedfordshire, and had several meetings there. 
Our labour was, to stir up Friends to faithfulness ; and 
to stand true to God, and their testimony which they 
were called to bear for the name of Jesus, against the 
hireling priests, and paying of tithes. After several 
meetings in that county, we went to Francis Coal- 
man's house at Woburn, and had an evening meeting 
there ; directing all to the light of Christ, ivhich was 
manifested in their own hearts ; and several were 
reached thereby. The day following, Peter Fearon, 
who accompanied me in pure love, so far on my in- 
tended journey, returned home : we having travelled 
together in true brotherly love, our hearts were knit 
in the fellowship of the gospel, which made our part- 
ing very affecting. I returned towards London, being 
alone ; but before I had travelled half a mile, the 
Lord's power overshadowed my soul ; by which my 
heart was broken and filled with joy and gladness ; 
which made up all my wants. I got to Edward 
Chester's at Dunstable that night, and had a meeting- 
there. The next day I went to Hempsted ; from 
thence to Albans ; and so to London, and staid there 
several weeks, labouring in the word and doctrine of 
Christ, and had good service. 

On the 8th of the Eleventh Month, 1695, I went 
down to Gravesend, many Friends accompanying me, 
and two that were going to America. The next day, 
we had a meeting on board the ship ; and the day 
following, at Gravesend. On the First day of tbe 
week, we were at Rochester, and had two meetings : 
many testimonies were borne to shew forth the Lord's 



146 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



goodness, and to warn people to repent. At one of 
these meetings, a young man appeared in supplica- 
tion, whose mouth had not been opened [in the 
ministry] before : I was glad to see the Lord at work 
in the hearts of babes, to perfect his own praise. The 
next day the Friends from London returned home. 

On the Third day of the week, being the 13th of the 
Eleventh Month, we went on board, and the day fol- 
lowing set sail : the power of the Lord overshadowed 
my soul ; and my heart was broken under a sense of 
his goodness, so that tears of joy flowed from mine 
eyes, feeling the glory of his presence to be with me. 
Having got the length of the north buoy, we met 
with a storm ; therefore came to an anchor and rode 
two days ; then weighed and sailed to Margate Road, 
came to, staid next day, and had a meeting on 
board. The Lord shewed us favour, filled our hearts 
with joy and gladness, and living praises to his most 
worthy name. Then we proceeded on our voyage, 
and got into the Downs : we staid there several weeks 
for want of a wind, yet were not without service. 
There being many Friends' ships there, we had several 
meetings on board, so that many had an opportunity, 
both priests and others, to hear the gospel preached 
unto them. Several priests were going over into 
Maryland, having heard that the government had 
laid a tax of forty pounds of tobacco on each inha- 
bitant, for an advancement of the priests' wages ; 
and many were willing to venture their lives for the 
sake of the benefit. The Lord was with us, gave us 
wisdom to divide the word aright, both to priests and 
people, by shewing them the way of Truth, and the 
difference between those the Lord sends, and those 
who run and the Lord never sent, but go for their 
own ends, preach for hire and divine for money. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



U7 



These priests were silenced, and Truth was exalted 
over all. Then we went on shore, (I having a great 
desire to see Friends at Canterbury, where several 
had been convinced by the preaching of the gospel, 
when I was there before :) we were gladly received, 
and the next day had two meetings. When I was 
preaching, one Cook, a priest, came and staid a con- 
siderable time ; the next day he was at the Friend's 
house where I lodged, and told me, He was satisfied 
with the doctrine I delivered, and confessed it was 
the Truth ; after which he asked me, If I understood 
Greek and Hebrew 1 — I told him, No ; — then he 
asked, How I understood the scriptures, seeing I 
wanted the original tongues in which they were 
written 1 — I answered, By and through a measure 
or manifestation of the same power and spirit the 
holy men of God were enabled to write them, which 
was before the many languages. — Then he said, He 
had no immediate impulse to preach : — I asked him, 
What he was made a minister of ? [and told him] 
Those who run and the Lord never sent, never 'did 
nor would profit the people j but the apostle's testi- 
mony was, that [he and his fellow-labourers] were 
" made able ministers, not of the letter, but of the 
Spirit," and that was the true fountain of the min- 
istry ; for they that had not the Spirit of Christ 
were none of his : — to which he confessed, and said, 
He hoped they might have it by succession from the 
apostles, but was not sure of it. — I told him, If I had 
no immediate impulse of the Spirit to preach the 
gospel, I would never have left my wife and family 
to do it ; but there was a necessity laid upon me, and 
woe was to me if I did it not ; every true minister 
of Christ knows a necessity so to do : — the priest 
assented to it, and so we parted. After we had had 

l 2 



148 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



several meetings up and down in that county to 
satisfaction; we returned to the ship ; and had meet- 
ings in one ship or other almost every day. 

When we had staid near six weeks, the wind 
coming fair, we weighed and stood away ; but the 
wind turning, we came to again. Then a great 
weight came upon me ; and I was very much bowed 
for many days, under a sense of the power of dark- 
ness that was at work. In a week after, there was a 
plot discovered, of an intention to kill king William ; 
and [it appeared] that the French intended to invade 
the land, which occasioned a strict embargo to be 
laid on all shipping ; so that we were stopped of our 
voyage near five months. Yet I had no .freedom at 
all to return home, but still waited in expectation of 
getting away. The Lord was near to me, and often 
sweetened my exercises ; he bore up my spirit in 
deep tribulations, and wrought a willingness in me 
to give up all. I was often concerned to go on 
shore, and travelled in the county of Kent ; was at 
many meetings and burials there, and had good 
service. There I met Thomas Rudd,* who had it 

* Thomas Rudd resided at Wharfe, near Settle, in Yorkshire. 
He was convinced of the Truth as professed by Friends, in the 
early part of his life, and was soon afterwards called to the 
work of the ministry. In this vocation he became a faithful and 
diligent labourer, and travelled in many parts of England, Scot- 
land, and Ireland. He was especially desirous that the camp of 
God m ight be kept clean; andthat spiritual Israel might be beauti- 
ful, and in no wise stained with any of the vain customs, fashions, 
or corrupt spirit of the ivorld. In his travels, he was often con- 
cerned to preach repentance and the fear of God in the streets 
and market-places of towns and cities, as well as other places of 
concourse. His service in this line often had a good effect ; 
and he was, on certain occasions, favoured with remarkable proofs 
of the presence of that Hand of power which led him forth, 
sometimes to the convincing of gainsayers. For this his labour 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



149 



upon hini to go through several towns to declare the 
Truth. At Deal, he was concerned to preach through 
the streets ; and there being a great concourse of 
people, occasioned by the fleet of ships that lay there, 
many behaved rudely. I passed through the streets 
after him, and had dispute with several. One called 
a justice was very envious, and said, He could find in 
his heart to put him in prison ; — I asked, For what ? 
had he done or spoken any ill % I told him, I was 
sorry to see any in his place so minded \ for men 
might and did go daily through the streets cursing 
and swearing, and drunk, yet were taken no notice 
of to be punished : so he was much ashamed and 
went awav. We had a meeting in the town after 
that, to which there came a priest that belonged to 
one of the men-of-war ; he seemed to be much con- 
cerned. When the meeting was over he spoke to a 
Friend, and told him he had a desire to speak with 
me or Thomas Rudd. I met with him upon the sea- 
shore the same night: he being lately recovered 
from a fever, was very low in mind, and inquired of 
me concerning my faith and principles. My heart 
was lovingly opened to give him an account of my 
faith, and Truth's principles ; for I felt the Lord's 
love greatly abound to the man : w T e spent a consider- 
ed love, he was many times imprisoned, sorely beaten and abused : 
all which he patiently endured, and like a faithful and valiant 
soldier, did not turn his back in the day of battle. Near the 
close of his life, he rejoiced in having been made willing faith- 
fully to perform these arduous services ; and said, 4 .ft is 
enough^ it. is enough that I feel inward peace. Although I have 
jeoparded my life many times, in answering what I lelieved the 
Lord required of me, it is all too little. 0 ! what an excellent 
thing it is to be at peace with the Lord and, all men? He died in 
the year 171&, in about the seventy-sixth year of his age. — See 
Piety Promoted^ part vi. 



150 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



able time that night in conversation. When I 
parted with him he was very low, and confessed to 
the Truth ; desiring to have another opportunity 
with me or some of the Quakers ; for he had heard 
strange things concerning us, but he found they were 
lies, and we were wronged. 

After I had staid several months with the ship- 
ping, and thereaway, I had some drawings in my 
mind to visit the city of London. I went thither 
along with Jacob Fallowfield, and exhorted Friends 
to mind their growth in the love of Truth; for none 
would he safe hut those that knew a growing therein. 
We had a very heavenly time, and found the secret 
power of the Lord at work in the hearts of several 
young people. Many mouths were opened to declare 
the Truth ; for which I was glad, and to see the 
Lord's work to prosper. When we were clear, we 
took leave of Friends and returned back to the ship. 
As we were on the road, we met several who told us 
the fleet was sailed; but we found it our place to go 
forward, though many turned back upon the road 
that were going down to the fleet. We travelled 
hard, and got there just as they were weighing 
anchor ; hired a boat and had much to do to get 
to the ship, she being then under sail. As soon as 
the master saw a boat following, he laid the ship by, 
and we got well on board, and had a fair wind to 
Portsmouth : there we staid above a month, went 
ashore and had many meetings ; also in the Isle of 
Wight and at Porchester. We had good service ; 
several were convinced of the Truth, and the mouths 
of gainsayers stopped : we also had meetings on 
board the ships to satisfaction ; and the day before 
we set sail, we had a public meeting on board the 
ship we went in : many people came to it out of the 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



151 



country ; and the Lord, by his power, broke in won- 
derfully amongst us : I was livingly opened to pro- 
claim the word of life, and many hearts were ten- 
dered. Then I had a sight that the time of our 
departure was near, and that we should get on our 
long-desired voyage. Next morning the man-of-war 
put out the signal for sailing ; the ships weighed 
anchor, and got to Cowes in the Isle of Wight. We 
went on shore to Newport, and had a glorious meet- 
ing there. After the meeting was over, a concern 
fell upon me to write a few lines to the Yearly Meet- 
ing, (it beginning the next day after we were to sail ;) 
which was as folio weth : — 

''IDear Friends, Brethren, Fathers and Elders, 

" Whom I love in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom 
is all your strength, power, and wisdom ; I entreat 
you all, keep to his eternal power and wisdom, in the 
exercise of all your gifts, in this Yearly Meeting ; 
that Christ your heavenly head may rule and speak 
through all, and carry on that glorious work which 
he hath begun. That in the beholding the prosperity 
of it, your joy may be full in the Lord, and you be a 
true strength and comfort one to another, and to the 
churches of Christ the world over. That as the Lord, by 
his eternal power, did set up those meetings, and hath 
honoured them with his presence, he may fill your 
hearts together, in this your solemn assembly, with the 
same power, life, and wisdom ; which he will do, if all 
keep their places in Christ their heavenly head; where 
everyone will feel life to spring, and love to abound, and 
your unity to be increased one with another. So may 
you return to your respective places as with sheaves 
in your bosoms ; and God over all will be exalted, and 
the peace of his church preserved ; which is the sin- 



152 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



cere breathing of my soul to the Lord for you all ; 
desiring your prayers to the Lord for me, as mine are 
for you ; and in true love, I remain your friend and 
brother, according to measure, 

" James Dickinson." 

" Written on board, near Cowes in the Isle of Wight, 
the 29th of the Third Month, 1696. 

" Let this be read in the Yearly Meeting." 

On the 30th of the Third Month, we set sail on 
our voyage to Virginia, with above a hundred sail in 
company : the masters of near twenty of them pro- 
fessed the Truth. The Lord was merciful to us, 
bore up our spirits, and sweetened all our exercises. 
We had several meetings on board ; and when the 
weather was fair and calm, we went on board other 
vessels, had meetings and warned the people to 
repent; directing them to the light of Christ, which 
made manifest their sins, and reproved them for 
them ; and reminding them what great jeopardy they 
were often in, and how soon the great deep might 
swallow them up and be their grave : several were 
reached by the Truth. About 170 leagues from 
Virginia, we left the fleet ; and in a week after, got 
safe into York River, it being on the 23rd of the 
Fifth Month, 1696 ; but many of the fleet did not get 
in for above three weeks after, they having met with 
a violent storm, and lost several of their masts. We 
went ashore at Edward Thomas's at Queen's Creek. 
My spirit was deeply bowed under the consideration 
of the Lord's mercies, and his condescension to us ; for 
he shewed me, before we lost sight of the English 
land, that / shoidd be in my service that day eight 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



153 



weeks, in America ; and it was so ; for we got into 
Virginia, and had good service for the Truth. The 
Lord's power assisted us, and opened our hearts and 
mouths to proclaim the word of life to the people. 
Then we travelled into New Kent, where I had for- 
merly visited the people with my dear companion, 
Thomas Wilson : several at that time were convinced 
of the blessed Truth, and received it in the love of 
it. And although I met with opposition from the 
sheriff and some justices, yet the Lord's power 
wrought effectually, and was over them. After we 
were gone, they raised a lying report, and told the 
people we were Jesuits, and were both hanged in 
Maryland : several believed it was so ; but those 
whose hearts were reached by the power of Truth, 
did not believe it. We wrote an Epistle * to those 
parts, from Antigua in the West Indies : when it 
came to hand, it had a good effect for the confirma- 
tion of those who were convinced ; and shewed to 
them who believed the report, that it was false. 

Friends in New Kent were glad to see us ; and 
notice being given of our going there, we had a large 
meeting : the man that had raised the report came 
in ; and when he saw me, he knew me, and was 
ashamed : the Lord was with us to our great com- 
fort. After we had proclaimed the word of life 
among them, we travelled to Curies : after the meet- 
ing there, we travelled twenty miles to Apomata, 
and crossed James River. We swam our horses 
in the night over Apomata River, and went over 
ourselves in canoes : the secret hand of the Lord 
protected us both inwardly and outwardly ; the sweet- 
ness of his love kept us near himself and one 



* See page 38. 



154 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



another ; and in the strength of his power, we were 
enabled to proclaim the everlasting gospel among 
the people. 

We went to Merchanthope and had a meeting there, 
to which a great number of people came : the word of 
life was plentifully declared, and the power of God 
manifested among them. A man and woman of note 
were reached, and confessed to the Truth. Near the 
conclusion of the meeting, the priest's wife, with several 
of his hearers, came and told me, the priest heard I 
would gladly speak with him ; and that he was but 
a little way off, and had a desire to see me : — I re- 
plied, I knew no priest there, neither had any busi- 
ness with any ; and if he heard such a report it was 
false j but if he wanted any thing with me, I was 
willing to give him an opportunity at his request. 
So they sent to the priest, and desired him to send 
for me ; which he did. I went, and several Friends 
along with me. The priest - and most of his hearers 
being gathered, he began to reflect against us and 
our principles ; and said, We denied baptism, the 
Lord's Supper, and the resurrection of the dead : — I 
told him, His charges were false ; so put him to prove 
his assertions ■; but he could not. — Then he said among 
the people, He did not understand our principles, 
but was willing to know our belief concerning those 
things: — I told him, He would have manifested more 
wisdom, if he had known our principles better, 
before he charged us with so many errors, and could 
prove none. Then I declared our faith ; showing 
them we believed the resurrection of the just and 
unjust ; the just to everlasting life, and the un- 
just to condemnation : and that we were of the 
apostles' faith concerning baptism, believing there 
is one Lord, one faith, and one true and saving 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



155 



baptism ; which is Christ's, to wit, that of the Holy 
Ghost and fire. — Then I put him to prove by Scrip- 
ture, his practice of sprinkling infants ; but he could 
not. — He then ran out into many words, charging us 
with more errors : — I told him, he ought to prove 
those he had charged first, before he advanced 
others ; for if he did not, I thought no wise man 
would believe him : — but he continued railing 
against us, and said that visions and revelations were 
now ceased, and no such thing to be known in these 
days. — Then I desired time to reply ; and shewed by 
scripture, that visions and revelations were not ceased, 
and the dismal state of those that knew them not ; 
for without them there was no true knowledge of 
God ; according to Christ's own words, "No man 
knoweth the Son, but the Father ; neither knoweth 
any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whom- 
soever the Son will reveal him." So they that deny 
revelation, are without the knowledge of God ; for 
where there is no revelation, the people perish ; and 
Elihu said, " there is a spirit in man ; and the inspi- 
ration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." 
— I desired the people to consider what state they 
were in who knew no revelation, and denied that any 
such thing could be known, as their teacher had done ; 
" for if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is 
none of his." Then I directed all to the light of Christ, 
which would give them the knowledge of God, whom to 
know is life eternal, according to Christ's own doctrine. 
— I told the priest, if he would contradict Christ, the 
prophets, and apostles, and number himself among 
those who had no vision, he manifested himself to be 
no better than Eli's sons, who had no open vision ; 
and those the Lord spoke unto by the mouths of his 
true prophets, and told them, that night should be 



156 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



unto them for a vision, and darkness for a divination \ 
and that the sun should go down over the prophets, 
and the day should be dark over them. When I 
had opened these things to the people, I went away ; 
and afterwards sent several books to be dispersed 
among the people, in order to shew them our chris- 
tian principles concerning those things the priest had 
falsely charged upon us. 

Then I, with my companion, travelled down to 
Chuckatuck, and visited several places there : many 
people nocked to our meetings, and we were livingly 
opened in doctrine by the power of the word of life, 
which did plentifully flow to the confirming of God's 
heritage • and many hearts were reached thereby. We 
laboured to stir up Friends to faithfulness in their 
testimonies against those things which were evil ; and to 
keep to the cross of Christ, that so they might be crucified 
to the world, and the world to them ; declaring in all 
plainness, that a profession of the Truth would stand 
them in no stead, except they lived in the life thereof, 
and waited to feel the power of Christ working in them 
to the changing of their hearts ; and knew him to be a 
mediator and interceder for them to the Father, and 
their faith strengthened and confirmed daily ; and 
thereby came to live to Cod, and knew the evidence of 
his Spirit to bear witness with their spirits that they 
were his children ; and as such, kept in subjection to 
him : so would his love fill their hearts, and bring 
them under a living concern for his Truth, and make 
them zealous for it in their generation ; avid good pat- 
terns to their offspring, and those that might be seeking 
the Lord, who were yet strangers to him. 

After we had cleared ourselves in those parts, we 
got a shallop and went over Chesapeak Bay to Aco- 
mack, not without some difficulty. The Lord's love 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



157 



was great to us, and his power manifested for our 
deliverance • blessed be his holy name for ever. We 
visited Friends on the eastern shore, and had good 
service. At one place, there came a great many 
Indians to a Friend's house where I was ; one of 
them could speak very good English. I had some 
discourse with him about God, Christ, and religion : 
I asked him, if he believed there was a God ? — He 
said, Yes, and that all the Indians believed so too J 
but he was a Protestant, and lived amongst the 
English. — I asked him, If he knew God? — He 
answered, No : — Then I told him, I would inform 
him how he might know the great God that made 
all things : — he said, He would willingly learn that. 
— I asked, If he did not find something, when he 
told a lie, swore, or wronged any, that let him see he 
should not do so ? — Then he laid his hand upon his 
breast, with very much seriousness, and said, Yes, he 
knew it very well ; — I told him, The great God, that 
made the Indians, and all things, was a spirit and 
a great light ; and appeared in the Indians hearts in 
order to teach them to he good, and forsake evil ; and if 
he did but mind that, it would give him the knowledge of 
God ; for it was the appearance of the great God which 
shewed him his thoughts. — He replied, He did not 
know that before, but would mind it for the time to 
come. Then he asked me, What made the English- 
man swear, that knew God was so near ? — I told him, 
It was the devil which made both the Englishman 
and Indian bad. — He said, He never swore before he 
learned to speak English, for they had no swearing in 
their language; but so soon as they could speak 
English, they learned to swear ; but if he had more 
of my company, I would teach him better • and wished 
he was a Quaker, then he would not swear. After- 



158 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



wards I visited their king, who was a very solid 
man : he would not be satisfied until I sat down at 
his right hand. I had some discourse with him 
about religion : he was very willing to hear me, and 
shewed what respect he could ; and offered me such 
entertainment as his house afforded, which was a 
cup of water. When I was about to go away, he 
signified his satisfaction, being well pleased with my 
visit. 

Then I visited several meetings in Chester county, 
where many who had run out with George Keith into 
separation, came. I was enabled to open the principles 
of Truth, and vindicate our ancient testimony con- 
cerning our faith in Jesus Christ ; declaring to them 
that we believed in him as being the only begotten Son of 
God; who in the fulness of time, took fiesh,became perfect 
man, according to the flesh ; descended and came of the 
seed of Abraham and David, but was miraculously 
conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin 
Mary ; yet powerfully owned to be the Son of God, ac- 
cording to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrec- 
tion from the dead : and that as man, Christ died for 
our sins, rose again, and was received up into glory 
in the heavens ; having fulfilled the law arid the pro- 
phets, and put an end to the first priesthood, is a 
priest for ever, not after the order of Aaron, but of 
Melchisedec ; and ever lives to make intercession to his 
Father, not for our sins only, but for the sins of the 
whole world : so declared our faith to be firm, in 
Christ our heavenly Head ; and that many had suf- 
fered deeply, because they durst not break his com- 
mands. The Lord's power and presence was wit- 
nessed in our assemblies ; and our hearts were bowed, 
and filled with praises to his worthy name. Several 
of them who had run out with George Keith, were 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



159 



reached by the Lord's power ; and being prevailed 
upon by his love, confessed to the Truth, and said it 
was sound doctrine. Those who were lifted up in 
their imaginations, came flatteringly to me, and told 
me, ' They were glad I was so sound in the faith ; for 
what I had declared, a great many had denied :' — I 
bid them name one ; but they could not. So being 
silent, I told them 1 I had had the opportunity of 
seeing most of the people called Quakers in the 
world, and never yet met with one, that was owned 
by them, that denied it ; and I knew it was the faith 
of the Quakers the world over : and that George 
Keith, and those who were gone into separation with 
him, had given way to a lying spirit, and falsely de- 
clared to the world we denied the man Christ Jesus : 
and except they did repent, they would wither, die, 
and come to nothing ; for the charge against us was 
false.' — Some of them replied, I would never see that 
day : — I told them, ' I had seen it in the light of the 
Lord, at their first running out, and was made to 
warn them of it :' so we parted. - 

I went to Haverfordwest, where the "Welsh people 
dwelt, and found a tender-hearted people : several 
Friends from Philadelphia met me there ; and the 
Lord's power comforted our hearts, and filled them 
with joy and gladness. Afterwards we went to the 
city, where I staid some time, and found Friends 
alive to God, and in sweet unity one with another; 
but several of those who had run out into separation 
were restless, tossed to and fro, unstable as water, 
being gone from Christ, the true fountain of light 
and life, into imaginations ; so were stumbling, and 
falling, and getting themselves dipped in water. I 
could not but mourn for them, being sensible of 
their great loss ; seeing them to be in an exalted 



160 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



mind, vainly lifted up above the simplicity of the 
Truth in the conceit of their high attainments. Se- 
veral Friends visited them in love ; but they reviled 
them, and rejected the Lord's mercies. I found the 
Lord's power and presence to be greatly manifested 
amongst Friends in that place. 

From thence I went to German-town, and had a 
meeting, to which many of the Separates came; several 
of whom had been dipped in water. After the meeting, 
they began to cavil ; but the Lord's power came over 
them, which chained them down. Then I travelled 
into the county of Bucks, and declared the way of 
life and salvation unto the people. Thence to the 
Yearly Meeting at Burlington : many Friends from 
East and West J ersey, and Pennsylvania, were there. 
Friends in the ministry had a meeting together, 
wherein the Lord's power overshadowed us, causing our 
cups to overflow : we were engaged to encourage one 
another to faithfulness to Him who had called us with 
such a high and honourable calling. The Yearly Meet- 
ing was large ; the Lord's power wonderfully broke in 
upon us, so that many living testimonies were borne 
from the motion of the spirit of Truth, and hearts 
filled with praises to the dreadful name of the Lord. 
The meeting lasted four days, and Friends were kept 
in the peaceable spirit of Christ : the affairs of the 
church were sweetly carried on, and managed in God's 
fear and wisdom, in which we were a true strength 
one to another. Although several of the Separates 
came, and made a jumble and disturbance when we 
were performing our religious worship to Almighty 
God, yet Friends kept their places, and went on in 
their testimonies ; and the Lord's power came over 
all. Some of the Separates were so wicked, that 
they uttered many blasphemous words ; and while I 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



161 



was declaring the way of life and salvation, directing 
all to the light of Christ Jesus, they lifted up their 
voices till their faces turned black ; and told me, The 
light I spoke of was nothing but an idol, and a frozen 
light ; with many more such like absurd expressions. 
But I told them, It was no other hut Christ Jesus the 
true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into 
the world, as John declared, — John i. 9 ; and it was 
the testimony God had given us to hear ; and the busi- 
ness we were sent about was, to labour to turn people's 
minds from darkness to this true light, and from 
Satan's power to the power of God ; that people might 
come to receive remission of sins by faith in Christ 
Jesus ; to which light, all the nations of them that are 
saved must turn and walk in : it was the apostle's 
treasure, and so it is every true believer s noiv. When 
they had wearied themselves, they went away ; after 
which we had a heavenly conclusion, and parted in 
peace. 

Then finding drawings in my mind to go to the 
Yearly Meeting in Maryland, I went, in company with 
several Friends. We travelled hard, and reached the 
meeting the day it began, visiting meetings as we 
went. There being a great fleet of ships lying not 
far distant, abundance of people came to the meeting, 
both merchants, captains of vessels, and many others 
of divers ranks and persuasions. The merchants and 
captains were very sober ; but several others behaved 
very rudely, talking, and smoking tobacco : the 
power of Truth and the testimony thereof, reached 
them ; so that those rude people were much ashamed 
of their behaviour, and crowded into the meeting- 
house till it was filled : and the Lord caused his ever- 
lasting gospel to be proclaimed in the demonstration 
of his power and wisdom, which did plentifully flow 

M 



162 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



amongst us ; and we witnessed that Scripture to be 
fulfilled ; " He maketh his angels spirits, and his 
ministers a flame of fire." The hearts of the faith- 
ful were made truly glad ; and dread and terror took 
hold of the rebellious. It proved a day of visitation 
to many ; for the Lord made his instruments as 
clouds full of rain, and caused them to empty them- 
selves amongst his heritage. The affairs of the 
church were managed in God's fear and wisdom : 
nothing appeared but love and unity among Friends. 
The meeting held four days ; and ended with praises 
and thanksgiving unto the God and Father of all our 
mercies, who, with his dear Son, is worthy thereof. 

After the meeting, we returned to Chester and the 
head of Chesapeak bay, and visited Friends and 
others. We found great openness in the hearts of 
many to receive Truth's testimony ; and several were 
tendered and reached thereby. Then we travelled 
into Pennsylvania, and had several meetings in the 
lower counties, travelling very hard ; for I was pressed 
in spirit to go to the Yearly Meeting at Shrewsbury, 
having several meetings to visit as I went. When I 
was at Philadelphia, a great exercise fell upon me for 
the West India islands, viz. Barbadoes, Antigua, 
Nevis, and Jamaica; under which I travailed in free 
resignation of mind to answer the will of God : for I 
had a sense of an evil spirit which was at work in 
those western isles, in order to hurt God's heritage, 
by drawing them from the power of Christ. As I 
kept the word of patience, and my mind single to the 
Lord, waiting to know his mind therein, it came 
upon me to write ; and early in the morning I wrote 
an Epistle, and caused several copies to be taken and 
sent to the said islands, whereby I got ease of mind. 
The Epistle is as follows ; 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



163 



" Dear Friends, 

" I am moved of the Lord, in the motion of 
life, to send you these following lines ; being deeply- 
bound under the sense of the love of Grod in visiting 
us, and making his way and Truth known to us, and 
in gathering us to be a people that were no people, 
and bringing of us to worship him, who is a Spirit, 
in spirit and in truth ; where we have known the 
streams of love and life to run, in which our souls 
have found true pleasure. As our minds came to be 
staid upon the Lord, our peace flowed, and our love 
increased to him and to one another ; which brought 
us to be of one mind, and often filled our hearts with 
praises to his most worthy name. 

" Now, Friends, my spirit is engaged in the motion 
of life, to caution, warn, and charge you all to keep 
to God's power that first gathered you ; that by it you 
may be preserved low in his fear, with your minds 
purely staid in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ ; 
unto which you have been turned, and by which you 
have come to the knowledge of God, and Jesus 
Christ his Son, whom to know is life eternal. Now, 
as you have received the Lord Jesus Christ, be careful 
to walk in him ; in whom you have life, peace, and 
salvation, and from whom you are to receive daily 
nourishment to your souls ; and witness the cross of 
Christ, which is the power of God, to crucify you to 
the world and the world unto you ; so that thereby 
you may escape the corruptions that are in the 
world through lust, and be made partakers of his 
divine nature. By the virtue thereof you will be 
made to bear witness against the world, and all its 
ways, customs, fashions, notions, and false ways of 
worship that are therein ; and stand up for your holy 

m 2 



164 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



way, Christ Jesus, the true light, that " enlighteneth 
every man that cometh into the world." And as in 
him yon all walk, and know the virtue of his power 
every day to strengthen you, in the dominion of his 
life, power, and wisdom, you will stand in your testi- 
monies against all that rise up against him ; and be of 
those that are following the Lamb through many 
tribulations ; and live to God over all, to his glory and 
your comfort. 

" Now, as it was God's power that gathered you, so 
it is the devil's work to scatter you, and drive you 
from the true foundation, Christ Jesus the true light. 
I say, all walk in him, and wait in his light, where 
you will have the great mystery of godliness more 
and more revealed unto you ; and so see over and 
through the mystery of iniquity and the devices of 
Satan, his sly insinuations, lies and prevarications, 
which he is possessing many with ; making them in- 
struments in his hand to trouble the churches of 
Christ, and to make rents and schisms therein ; divid- 
ing in Jacob, and scattering in Israel. Therefore 
watch against the enemy's working in the mystery, 
though with never so large pretences and fair shews : 
his work is still to draw away the mind from 
the pure conduct of the spirit of Truth, into high 
conceits and imaginations, and so into separation 
from God and his people. I warn you all to watch 
and keep low, that the enemy may not gain ground 
upon you, nor draw your minds from the simplicity 
of the Truth ; but that you may feel the Lord daily 
to break your hearts, and tender your spirits, and 
give you a clear discerning between that Avhich 
serveth God and that which serveth him not, both in 
yourselves and others. So will you have a sense and 
feeling beyond words ; and never be deceived by the 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



165 



fair words or pharisaical carriage of any whose spirits 
are wrong, and are gone into contention and strife ; 
making rents and divisions in the church : such 
labour to gather to themselves and not to Christ. 
Experience hath shewed the work of that Spirit in 
former ages, (as also in this age) and what hath been 
the end of those that have been led by it. Therefore 
all keep to the Lord's power, and thereby you will be 
preserved out of the snares of the enemy, and firm in 
your testimony against that spirit of strife and con- 
tention : touch not with it, but live over it ; for all 
that join with it, will wither and die, and come 
to nought. It is the word of the Lord God as a 
warning to you all, to watch against, and feed it with 
judgment wherever it appears. Though it may ap- 
pear as Saul did, to bless the true prophet of the Lord, 
yet it is that which is gone into rebellion against 
God, and doth not obey him. And though those who 
are gone into this spirit, may strive to be honoured 
before the people, (as Saul did,) and may be rending 
and tearing to obtain [honour], yet the Lord will rend 
the kingdom out of the hands of those that join with 
it, although they may have known something of the 
anointing oil, and have been anointed therewith. It 
is those that keep in obedience to Christ, that shall 
be made partakers of the benefits of his obedience to 
his Eather ; for it is said of him, " He became the 
author of eternal salvation to all them that obey 
him." So mind your obedience unto him ; and then 
you will all know of his doctrine, which drops as the 
dew upon his tender heritage ; blessed be his name 
for ever. 

" Now, " Seeing it is a righteous thing with God," 
saith the apostle, 2 Thessalonians i. 6 — 8, " to re- 
compense tribulation to them that trouble you : and 



166 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord 
Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking 
vengeance on them that know not God, and that 
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ :" 
therefore mind your rest in Christ, and keep in it ; 
and obey his gospel, and keep to his doctrine, which 
is, " Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with 
another f also the apostle saith, " If any man seem 
to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither 
the churches of Christ." So all keep to the eternal 
power of God, and you will be kept out of evil by 
it. In the pure love of Christ my soul salutes 
you all j desiring grace, mercy, and peace, may be 
multiplied amongst you, and all the churches of 
Christ the whole world over : letting you know that 
my dear companion Thomas Wilson was well the last 
time I heard from him. "We have had little rest 
since we were with you, but have been labouring in 
the work of the gospel. His dear love was to you 
all, and so doth mine remain ; and I send this, as a 
token thereof, in obedience to the Lord ; in whom I 
remain your friend and brother in tribulations and 
patience, 

(C James Dickinson." 

" Philadelphia, the 17th of 
the Eighth Month, 1696." 

Let copies of this be sent to Antigua. Nevis, and 
Jamaica, to be read in their meetings. 

I proceeded into West Jersey, and had several 
meetings ; then travelled, in company with several 
Friends, through the woods to East J ersey, to the 
Yearly Meeting at Shrewsbury, which began the 
24th of the Eighth Month and held four days. We 
laboured to stir up Friends to faithfulness ; directing 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



167 



all to Christ the true foundation ; that thereby they 
might know his power to subject their spirits, and lead 
them into all Truth, both in doctrine and discipline. 
The Lord eminently appeared amongst us to our 
comfort, and we were sweetly refreshed together in 
the enjoyment of his love. 

After the meeting, several Friends went with me 
towards New York. We crossed Amboy Ferry in two 
canoes, which the watermen lashed together to carry 
us and our horses over, and staid at Amboy that 
night. Next day we went to Elizabeth Town, took 
boat for New York, and were all night upon the 
water, exposed to wind and storms : it rained all 
night, and we had no shelter j for the boat was filled 
with wood, and we sat upon it. About break of day, 
we got to New York, where we staid a little ; then 
passed over in a canoe to Long Island, and travelled 
up and down in that island, labouring in the work 
of the gospel ; and had good service for the Truth. 
Several were convinced, particularly a captain in the 
army and a justice of the peace, who were after- 
wards called before the governor of New York : and 
because they could neither swear nor fight any 
longer, they laid down their commissions, having 
received the Truth in the love of it ; which was 
cause of gladness to us ; for we had no greater joy 
than to behold the Lord's work to prosper in the 
hearts of the children of men. 

Being clear of Long Island, we returned to New 
York, where we had a large meeting ; in which we 
opened the principles of Truth, by and through the 
demonstration and power of God, and wiped off" the 
reproaches which George Keith, and those who ran 
out with him, had cast upon us. Many hearts were 
deeply affected and tendered, both among the Dutch 



168 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



and English ; and the Lord's power was over all. 
ftTear the conclusion of the meeting, William Brad- 
ford, (who had printed several books which George 
Keith and others wrote against Friends), began to 
make disturbance ; and flatteringly said, He was 
glad to hear the doctrine which was delivered that 
day : notwithstanding he would vindicate what they 
had written and printed. I saw if we entered into 
debate, it would draw people's minds out, which were 
measurably turned to the Lord's power, and reached 
thereby : then it was upon me to supplicate the Lord 
in prayer. After I had done, a Friend stood up, 
and declared among the people, That George Keith, 
and those who had written and accused us with 
denying the manhood of Christ, had wronged them- 
selves and us too ; for he knew not one that was a 
Quaker, that ever denied the manhood of Christ ; 
and farther said, ' We believe there is one Mediator be- 
tween God and man, even the man Christ Jesus; and 
by no other name but that of Jesus, we expect salvation; 
and by his Spirit we must be adopted, and made heirs 
of that peace and rest he hath purchased for us with 
the price of his precious blood; by which we shall be 
changed if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, 
wherein our true fellowship doth consist.'' People seemed 
generally dissatisfied with Bradford's appearance in 
so disturbing a manner ; for the Lord's power was 
over every unclean spirit, and the testimony of 
Truth exalted over all : so the meeting ended. 

Having appointed a meeting at Chester next day, 
we sailed several miles in canoes, and through much 
difficulty got to the meeting, which was to satis- 
faction. Then we returned to Long Island, and in 
our passage over, the wind rose, and water came into 
the canoes ; we sat deep in it, for none durst move to 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



169 



cast it forth for fear of oversetting, although it was 
frost and very cold weather : yet after much diffi- 
culty and fatigue we got safe to land. Being clear 
of those parts, we returned to New York, took boat 
and passed over to East Jersey : then travelled through 
the woods to West Jersey, so to Burlington and Phila- 
delphia ; and had good service for the Truth. It 
being frost and a great snow, it was very tedious 
travelling ; yet the Lord made way for us both in- 
wardly and outwardly, and made hard things easy to 
us. We visited the sick and aged in our travels, and 
sympathised with them in their afflictions : the 
Lord's power reached unto them and helped them, 
and they were comforted in their exercises. We 
travelled through the woods to Salem, (many Friends 
accompanying us,) and had several meetings there- 
abouts. At Cohansey, abundance of professors came 
to the meeting; the gospel was preached to them, 
and many were deeply affected : we were concerned 
to vindicate and lay open our principles, for the 
clearing of the reproaches cast upon them by 
those who were gone out from us. The Lord's 
power came over all, and we returned in great 
peace ; witnessing that saying to be fulfilled, " Great 
peace have they which love thy law." — Psal. cxix. 
165. We had several meetings in Philadelphia ; 
and that ranting spirit which laboured to lay waste, 
and hinder the growth and prosperity of the Truth, 
was chained down by the power of God ; our assem- 
blies were filled with his love, and our hearts drawn 
near him. After the meetings, several of those who 
had gone out from us, began to cavil ; and would 
have made me an offender for a word, which, they 
said, I had spoken. But I saw their life was in 
jangling, and remembered our blessed Lord and 



170 



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Master's example, who, when he was accused, an- 
swered not a word ; having regard to the honour of 
God, not to make our solemn assemblies a place of 
contention : for I had seen their behaviour at a 
meeting before, several of them speaking at once. 
So I took little notice of them, knowing that God is 
not the author of confusion, but of peace and love. In 
the sense of his love we travelled and laboured to 
turn people's minds to Christ the true Rock and 
Foundation, and to keep our consciences pure from 
the blood of all men. The Lord was with us, and 
fitted us for our service every day ; and the angel of 
his presence attended his people, and drew them 
near to himself and one another ; in which nearness 
our hearts were bound up with them. For though 
the power of darkness had been greatly at work to 
scatter and lay waste God's heritage in those parts; and 
had prevailed upon some, who had not been careful 
to watch in the light of Christ Jesus, but were drawn 
from the simplicity of the gospel into strife and 
contention, and a disposition to accuse their brethren ; 
yet we found the Lord's power to be much at work 
in settling and establishing those who kept their 
minds close to him ; so that many came to wit- 
ness that saying fulfilled, " Thou wilt keep him in 
perfect peace, whose mind is staid on thee, because 
he trusteth in thee." — Isa. xxvi. 3. For we found 
them, to our great comfort, in a growing condition, 
and in unity one with another. 

Being clear of those parts, we took our journey 
towards Maryland, having several meetings in our 
way. At Derby, we met with Henry Payton and his 
sister,* who were come out of England on Truth's 

* Henry Payton resided at Dudley, in Worcestershire. His 
daughter, Catherine Phillips, in an account of him prefixed to her 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



171 



service : they went back with us to several meetings, 
and the glory of the Lord overshadowed us to our 
comfort. At Concord, where was held the last meet- 
ing we had in the province of Pennyslvania, the 
Lord crowned our assembly, and filled our hearts 
with his love ; so that tears of joy flowed from most of 
us, and we were enabled to offer up praises unto the 
Grod and Father of all our mercies. 

Journal says ; " He was called into the work of the ministry about 
the eighteenth year of his age ; and when young, travelled much 
in the service of Truth in divers parts of this nation, Ireland 
and Scotland, as also the American colonies. His ministry was 
lively and clear ; and his care not to exceed the openings of 
Truth therein, apparent. His deportment was grave, his conduct 
clean and steady, and his charity, in proportion to his circum- 
stances, diffusive. He was an affectionate husband, a tender 
father and kind master ; serviceable amongst his neighbours, and 
beloved and respected by them. He died in the year 1746, aged 
nearly 75 years." 

His sister, " Sarah Payton, was born at Dudley [aforesaid,] 
and received a gift in the ministry when about twenty-one years of 
age ; in the exercise of which, she laboured not only at home and 
in Ireland, but also in America, previous to her marriage with 
Samuel Baker, an honest Friend of Dublin. She resided in that 
city for the most part of the remainder of her life ; and was very 
serviceable to Truth and Friends in many respects ; being a dili- 
gent labourer and fellow-helper with her brethren in the gospel : 
and in the authority of Christ J esus did freely and frequently, in 
larger and lesser assemblies, preach and teach the things con- 
cerning the kingdom of Grod, and the redemption that is in his 
Son, Christ Jesus. She had also good service in women's meetings, 
being a diligent follower of good works, in relieving the poor and 
visiting the sick and afflicted in body or mind. When outward 
strength declined, her inward strength was renewed ; her lamp 
being trimmed, did burn clearly, through the supply of heavenly 
oil, to the conclusion of her time ; and at her departure she had 
the comfort of an evidence of peace with the Lord, and that 
a crown of righteousness was laid up for her. She died in the 
year 1713." — Butty's History of Friends in Ireland. 



172 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



After the meeting, we parted with them in much 
bowed-downness of spirit, under a sense of the 
Lord's goodness, and went on our journey towards 
Maryland : we travelled very hard for three days, 
before we got among Friends where our service lay. 
The ground was covered so thick with snow, that 
few had ever seen the like in those parts ; which made 
our travels more difficult. Then we proceeded to 
Choptank, and visited Friends on the eastern shore • 
afterwards crossed Chesapeak-bay to the western 
shore, where we had several comfortable meetings. 

When we were clear of those parts, it was upon us 
to go to Virginia and Carolina. A master of a ship 
that lay in Patuxent river took his boat and put us 
over the river, travelled along with us to Potomack, 
and went over that river, which was nine miles 
across. It was night, and we all strangers to the 
place : seeing a boat at a distance, we came up with 
her, and got her to pilot us to a plantation on the 
shore, where was a captain's house : they lived very 
poorly, having nothing to eat or drink but pone* 
and water ; but they were willing to entertain us 
with such as they had. Next morning, we got horses, 
and hired a guide to Rappahannock river, where 
many ships lay ; hoping to get over in some of their 
boats : but there came on such a strong north-wester 
that the people were afraid it would have blown 
down their houses ; insomuch that we were forced to 
run out into the storm, which was very violent. 
After it was a little abated, it froze so hard that we 
could not get over the river for a whole week. 

During our stay, we had disputes with several, and 
opened the principles of Truth to them. One Major 

* Probably some preparation of Indian corn. — Ed. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



173 



Taylor confessed *to the Truth, and said, If the 
Quakers' principles were such as we declared, he was 
a Quaker in judgment ; but desired to have more 
time with me, to be informed why we left the Church 
of England. — I told him, The Church of England 
had the form of godliness, but denied the power ; 
and from such the apostle advised to turn away : and 
they maintained tithes, which belonged to the Levi- 
tical priesthood, which we believe Christ came to put 
an end to : and their ministers preach for hire, and 
divine for money ; cry peace to the people while they 
put into their mouths, but when they withhold, pre- 
pare war against them : they indeed profess good 
things, but do not practice them, and say and do 
not ; unto such Christ cried, " Wo !" — He answered, 
What I said was true ; but said, ' Our principles are 
good ; though it is a great shame to us that our 
ministers are so wicked.' — I told him, £ We must 
judge of the tree by its fruit, according to Christ's 
own doctrine :' — he said, It was very true ■ and 
seemed fully satisfied concerning our principles. 

As soon as we could, we passed over the river, and 
travelled through the woods to Mattapony, where a 
friendly man dwelt, with whom we staid two days, 
and had a meeting at his house : many had the 
opportunity of hearing the gospel preached, and 
God's universal love proclaimed, which was glad 
tidings to their poor souls : many hearts were deeply 
affected by the Lord's power, and ours were bowed 
under a sense of his goodness to the children of men. 
After that meeting, several desired to have another ; 
but we being pretty much pressed in spirit to visit 
some other parts of Virginia, and Carolina, proceeded 
on our journey. The next day we heard of one 
John Carver, who made a profession of Truth, but 



174 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



had seldom been at any of our meetings : we tra- 
velled to his house, as it was not above ten miles out 
of our way, and found the man much in imaginations, 
conceits, and notions : we were much burthened in 
our minds with him. 

Next day we travelled towards Ware river, where 
the ship lay, in which w e intended to take our passage 
for England : the day following we got on board, 
and staid some days. The people thereabouts being 
very desirous of having a meeting, one Sampson 
Dorill, a lawyer, gave us liberty to have one at his 
house. Abundance of people came, it being the first 
Quakers' meeting that had been in those parts : the 
Lord appeared in his love, and touched our tongues 
as with a live coal from his heavenly altar, and 
loosed them to declare of his mercies to those that 
would return at the reproofs of wisdom, and lay hold 
of the day of their visitation. Many hearts were 
reached, and several desired we would stay there and 
have more meetings : but having some further service 
to perform in visiting Friends, we took our journey 
towards Carolina ; and got two negroes to carry us 
over York river in a small boat. The wind arose, so 
that we could not get the negroes to set us to the 
place intended ; but they put us ashore at the first 
land they could get. As it was near night and there 
was hard frost and snow, we travelled almost till 
midnight before we got to a plantation ; having our 
saddles and bags to carry. Next morning we got 
to Edward Thomas's and had a meeting; then 
crossed James river, travelled to Pagan's Creek and 
Chuckatuck, and visited meetings as we went : so 
through the wilderness to Carolina, and there met 
with governor Archdale, who travelled through 
Carolina with us. We had good service in that 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



175 



wilderness country, and found a tender people who 
were glad to be visited. Being clear, we returned in 
peace, and attended the shipping for England. The 
fleet staying some time, we visited several places as 
we found an openness in people's hearts to receive the 
testimony of Truth ; directing them to Christ, the 
true foundation. The Lord was effectually with us, 
to our great comfort ; and having in ourselves the 
answer of well done, our souls were filled with 
praises to his most holy name, who is God, blessed 
for ever. 

On the 7th of the Third Month, 1697, we set sail 
from the Capes of Virginia, being about one hundred 
and thirty sail in company. In the ship that I came 
in, there were several Friends ; one, whose name was 
Hugh Robert, had the testimony of Truth to declare, 
and was coming to visit Friends in England : we had 
three meetings every week during our voyage. After 
we had been a week at sea, we met with a great storm, 
and were in danger to have run down one another. 
The man-of-war lay by, and caused all the fleet to 
lay to, under their mainsails, all night. There came 
a ship which had like to have run foul of us ; but we 
backed our mainsail and got clear. The storm was 
so violent that it split our mainsail ; and before we 
could get the yard lowered, it had like to have been 
carried away : the ship also sprung a leak, so that 
we were forced to keep the pumps going day and night 
for two weeks. When the storm was over, and the 
sea calm, we stitched an old sail full of oakum, let 
it down under the ship, and undergirt her ; and after 
some time, the leak stopped. When the ship came 
to be searched, it was found to be an auger hole half 
open, and the other filled with something that had 
got into it. After five weeks' sail we met with a 



176 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



vessel that had been taken by the French : she gave 
us an account that there was a French fleet out at 
sea, waiting for us ; so we kept to the southward, and 
almost run out our longitude before we got into our 
latitude, and escaped them. When we had been six 
weeks at sea, we made the isles of Scilly : the day 
after which, several great ships of war met us, in 
order to convoy us up to London ; but the wind being 
contrary, we were forced into Plymouth, and landed 
there on the 22nd of the Fourth Month : having had 
many refreshing seasons in the love of Glod, when on 
the deep ocean. The consideration of the Lord's 
dealings with us, in protecting us both inwardly and 
outwardly, bowed my mind in true thankfulness, and 
made me say, that lie was worthy to be followed and 
obeyed, in all Ms requiring s. 

The day after we landed, we had a large and 
comfortable meeting at Plymouth. The next day, we 
took our journey towards Exeter, and were at their 
First day's meeting. From thence we travelled to 
Bristol, where I was taken very ill : but in a week's 
time recovered, and had two meetings there ; after 
which I took my journey homeward, William Penn 
and several other Friends accompanying me some 
miles. I travelled hard, got well home, and found 
my wife and family well ; which deeply bowed my 
spirit before the Lord, under the consideration of his 
tender dealings with me every way, and giving me 
my life for a prey. Though one may go forth weep- 
ing, bearing precious seed, I knew a returning as 
with sheaves in my bosom ; blessed be the Lord, 
who is the Preserver of all those that put their trust 
in him. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



177 



CHAPTER III. 

Visit to Ireland — Epistle to Friends in America — Visits to Scot- 
land, and some parts of England — His Sickness — Further reli- 
gious service in England, Scotland, and Ireland — His third 
visit to America — Religious engagements in various parts of 
England. Scotland, and Ireland — His last Illness and Death. 

In the year 1698, a concern was upon me to visit 
Friends in Ireland. I took shipping on the 5th of 
the Ninth Month ; but meeting with a contrary wind, 
was put into Ramsey Bay, in the Isle of Man, where 
we staid some days ; then weighed anchor and got to 
Castletown, went on shore, and found the people very 
wicked ; they would scarce lodge us for our money, 
because we were Quakers. The next day we sailed 
to Dublin, and had three meetings there. Then I 
took my journey along with Thomas Wilkinson* 

* " Thomas Wilkinson resided at Beckfoot, in Cumberland. 
He descended of honest parents, though not of our profession ; 
who dying when he was young, he was educated by a relation in 
the way of the Church of England [so called.] He joined him- 
self with Friends in his youth, and some time after received a 
gift in the ministry. In that service, when but young, he tra- 
velled through most parts of England and Wales ; and several 
times visited Friends in Scotland and Ireland. His ministry was 
not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstra- 
tion of the Spirit and power ; and he was. endued with an excel- 
lent gift of prayer. As he bore a faithful testimony in word and 
doctrine, his conversation was agreeable thereto. He was also 
zealous in his testimony against tithes : for non-payment of a 
small modus, he was prosecuted in the Court of Exchequer, and 
suffered imprisonment sixteen years : which suffering he bore 
without murmuring ; and often said, Tie never enjoyed more of 
the LoroVs favour than in his confinement. In his last illness he 

N 



178 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



into the north, having meetings at places where none 
had been before ; to which abundance of people came, 
both English and Irish : we laboured in the love of 
God among them. At one meeting there came two 
priests, who appeared at first to be very light and 
airy ; but the Lord's power reached their hearts, and 
we heard they gave a good account of the meeting. 
We had a meeting at Lurgan, where there was a mar- 
riage, to which many people came to see the accom- 
plishment thereof. The gospel of life and salvation 
was freely preached unto them : some were reached, 
and turned to Christ, the true light and leader of his 
children. I was much concerned for a people that 
knew not the Lord, that they might be gathered unto 
him, and know salvation. We travelled very hard, 
and had meetings every day for twenty-eight days 
together ; visiting people in many places where no 
Friends dwelt ; and had good service, particularly 
in the county of Berry. We had a meeting at a 
place called Articelly, to which abundance of people 
came, many of whom were Presbyterians ; and they 
fenced against the testimony that was borne all they 
could : but the testimony ran so clear, that they were 
forced to confess to the Truth ; for our labour was to 
turn all to God's teaching, and to Christ the true light, 
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
After the meeting we went to Newtown-Limavady, 
and lodged at an inn : the people were very hard and 
dark as to true religion, being puffed up with airy 
notions, so that we found little place there. Then we 
travelled to Dungivin, lodged at an inn, and got a 

frequently signified that nothing stood in his way, and that he had 
the full evidence of joy and peace. He died in the year 1731, 
aged upwards of 78, having been a minister about 50 years." — 
Testimony of Cumberland Quarterly- Meeting . 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



179 



house to have a meeting in the next day : but in the 
morning there was a paper put upon the door, and all 
people forbidden thereby to go into that house, except 
the King's officers. So we kept the meeting without 
doors, although it was in the depth of winter ; and 
the Lord favoured us with his living presence, and 
enabled us to preach the gospel unto the people. 
Several were convinced, and many well affected, who 
said, Though men envied us, yet the Lord favoured us. 

From thence we travelled towards Londonderry ; 
lodged at an inn, and had a comfortable meeting 
that evening. Next day we went into the city in 
order to have a meeting : many of the magistrates 
being Presbyterians, were very envious, and threat- 
ened to put us in prison ; but we kept our meeting in 
the love of Christ. The governor, several officers, 
and soldiers, came to the meeting, shewed kindness 
towards us, and restrained the rabble. I had to 
warn the people to repent of their wickedness, or else 
the hand of the Lord would be heavy upon them; 
[and further to declare, that] although many families 
in that place had wanted bread, yet if they repented 
not, many houses should have bread, and none of their 
family be left to eat it. After I had delivered the 
message, I was eased of the weight which lay upon 
me, and went away in peace. We then travelled 
to a place called Cumber : at an inn there we 
met with a great many Irish ; one of them was in 
fetters for stealing ; the power of darkness was 
great among them. Next day we had a meeting 
appointed there, and many of those wicked people 
came, and their priest, they being Papists : the 
Lord caused his light to shine, and gave us his 
word and wisdom to divide it ; so that the gospel 
was freely preached to them, and all directed to the 

n 2 



180 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



light of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them was 
convinced of the Truth, and much broken and ten- 
dered by the power of the Lord which overshadowed 
us. The priest confessed that the doctrine he had 
heard that day, was true. Then we came back to Tober- 
head and Charlemont, and from thence to Lugganory : 
we had several meetings ; abundance of people flocked 
to them, and we directed ail to the light of Christ 
Jesus, the Saviour of the world ; and many confessed 
to the Truth. Then we came by Melton to Dromore, 
a place that had not been visited by Friends before, 
and had a meeting in a large room at an inn : many 
of the town's people came, and it was a day of God's 
love to them ; they were mightily affected by the 
power of Truth, and very much broken and tendered 
thereby : several acknowledged to the Truth, and 
some were convinced. After the meeting, we went to 
Hillsborough, and had a meeting there that evening, 
to which several people of repute came ; one 'squire 
Hill was deeply affected with the testimony of Truth ; 
in a short time after he died. Then we travelled to 
Lurgan, to the province meeting ; afterwards into 
the south and west parts of the nation, where we had 
service in turning many people unto the Lord. At 
Cork we met with several brethren in the work of the 
gospel : our hearts were truly opened one to another, 
and glad to hear of Truth's prosperity. After we 
had visited Munster, we returned to the province 
meeting in Leinster, and visited the counties of Car- 
low, Wexford, and Wicklow. Then finding my 
spirit clear, I returned to Dublin, took shipping for 
"Whitehaven, and at the latter end of the Eleventh 
Month, 1698, I landed safe, and returned home, staid 
some time, and was very diligent in attending 
meetings. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



181 



[The following Epistle to Friends in America, 
•which is not inserted either in the MS. or the former 
edition of this Journal, is recorded in GougJCs History 
of Friends.] 

" Rogerscale, [near Par dshaic,~\ 
27th of First Month, 1699. 

" Dear Friends, 

" In the love of God, my soul dearly salutes 
you all in the seed of life ; in which we are united 
the whole world over ; and are bound up in that one 
eternal Power and Spirit by which we have been 
gathered to be a people, to appear in the world to make 
mention of his name, and that in truth and righte- 
ousness. All wait low in the depth of humility, daily 
to feel the operation and opening of his eternal Power 
upon your spirits ; that by it you may be all guided in 
true fear and wisdom in all your exercises and services 
for God, in your several gifts and places that God has 
committed to your trust and charge : that you all 
be shewing forth the glory, and power, and wisdom of 
him that hath called you out of the dark world, and 
its ways, customs, and fashions, into his marvellous 
light, to walk therein, and to be faithful witnesses 
for him ; and that your lights may so shine before 
men, that they may see your good works, that they 
may glorify your Father which is in heaven. My 
spirit and life is often with you, (in my secret retire- 
ment unto the Lord,) in those remote parts of the 
world. 

" Oh ! my bowels yearn towards you, night and 
day, for your growth and prosperity in the Truth ; 
that you may be kept under the government of 
Christ ; where his peace will daily rise up in your 
souls; which will far transcend all earthly enjoyments, 
and redeem your affections out of the earth and the 



182 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



snares and corruptions that are in it, and will draw 
the affections heavenwards, and to seek those things 
that are above ; so will the Lord bless you every way, 
both inwardly and outwardly • and your table will 
never become a trap and a snare to you. 

" Treasure the advice given of old, " Trust not 
in uncertain riches, but in the living God and then 
he will abundantly bless those parts of the world 
where it is your lot to dwell ; he will be as a wall of 
fire round about you, and make your enemies to be 
at peace with you. Keep low, there is your safety ; 
and look not out, but to the Lord, whose eye is 
watching over you for good : and his hand is full of 
blessings to be poured down upon you, if you give 
him not ^occasion to withhold them from you, by 
letting your minds wander from him. Therefore 
let a holy care and zeal be kept in by all, to keep 
their minds close to the Lord ; so will he bring up a 
godly concern upon your minds, for the honour of 
God, and a holy, strict discipline amongst you ; that 
all that profess the holy Truth, walk as becomes 
Truth in their life and conversation ; and that those 
that do not, be dealt with, and if possible be re- 
claimed ; and if not, to clear the holy Truth of them, 
and to wipe off the scandal that may be cast upon 
your holy profession, by their disorderly walkings. 

"I do not write these things because you know 
them not, but to stir up your minds to put them in 
practice ; and in order thereto, we are in the prac- 
tice of appointing two or more faithful Friends in 
every particular meeting, to take inspection into the 
conversation of Friends, how they walk as becomes 
Truth ; and these Friends of every meeting, (which 
we call a preparative meeting, because it fits those 
that are appointed,) to give a true account to the 



OF JAMES DICKINSON 



183 



Monthly Meeting, that often consists of several, 
and takes a great deal of work from the Monthly 
Meeting ; things being done without going thither. 
We find great benefit in a strict discipline ; and there 
is a great need of it. 

" I desire you to keep in the unity of the Spirit, 
which is the bond of peace ; and stir up one another 
to love and good works • and that those whom God 
hath trusted with heavenly gifts, may all improve 
them to his glory. And stir up one another to visit 
remote parts that want help ; as Virginia, Carolina, 
New England, Barbadoes, Jamaica, Antigua, Nevis. 
And let all be done in the love of God ; so will he 
bless you with spiritual blessings in his Son Christ 
Jesus ; in whom I dearly salute you all, letting you 
know I am well every way. And to God's eternal 
arm of power I commit you all, and remain your 
friend and brother in the holy Truth. ; 

" James Dickinson." 

In the forepart of the year 1689, I had drawings 
in my mind to visit Friends in Scotland, and pro- 
ceeded on that service in company with Jonathan 
Burnyeat,* (son of J ohn Burnyeat,) who had the like 

* " Jonathan Burnyeat, son of John and Elizabeth, was born 
in Dublin on the 4th of the Eleventh Month, 1686 ;" conse- 
quently he was little more than twelve years of age, when he thus 
united with James Dickinson in gospel service. John Whiting in 
his " Memoirs,'" towards the close of his account of John 
Burnyeat, says, <e He left one son, a hopeful young man, behind 
him." " Jonathan Burnyeat died at Graythwaite near Crabtree- 
beck [in Cumberland,] on the 5th of the Third Month, 1709," 
in the twenty-third year of his age. These dates, &c, of his 
birth and decease, are copied from the Registers of Pardshaw 
Monthly Meeting. 

The editor regrets that he has not been able to find further 



184 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



concern. As he was very young, and had not tra- 
velled in Truth's service before, a concern fell upon 
nie for his preservation every way. The Lord was 
kind to us, and bore up our spirits in all our exer- 
cises. My conipaniou was deeply opened into the 
mysteries of God's kingdom ; and grew in his gift, so 
as to give counsel to young and old : he was very 
zealous against deceit and wickedness, both in pro- 
fessor and profane ; and often reproved such. We 
travelled together through the south and west parts 
of Scotland, to Douglas, Hamilton, and Glasgow, and 
had many meetings among the people ; labouring to 
turn their minds to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the 
light of the world ; warning all who professed the light 
to be their way, to be careful to walk therein, that they 
might Jcnow their communion to increase with the Lord, 
their fellowship one with another, and the blood of 
Christ to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. 
Then we travelled down into the north, and had 
many precious meetings. From thence we returned 
to the Yearly Meeting at Edinburgh, where we met 
with many brethren. Abundance of people came to 
the meeting, who were very rude and wicked, and 
laboured to disturb us ; but the testimony of Truth 
coming over all, some among them were troubled, and 
chained down by the power of God. We were deeply 

particulars respecting this extraordinary youth : when his age is 
considered, in connection with what is here said of him by J. D. 
(see also p. 193) the reader can scarcely fail to be struck with so 
remarkable an instance of early dedication ; or (whilst contem- 
plating the condescension of the great Head of the church, in 
committing a dispensation of the gospel to one of so tender an 
age,) to regard it as an occasion which calls forth the reverent 
acknowledgment, " Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings 
Thou hast perfected praise." 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



185 



bowed under a sense of the Lord's favour to us : yet 
under great sorrow to see the wickedness of the people. 
A concern came upon Jonathan Burnyeat to write a 
warning to the inhabitants of that place, which was 
afterwards put in print to answer its service. Then 
we travelled to Kelso, and visited Friends there ; so 
to Berwick-upon-Tweed ; from thence to Northum- 
berland, and had meetings at several places : many 
hearts were reached by the power of Truth. Being 
clear, we returned home, and witnessed peace to flow 
in our souls. 

Afterwards, finding drawings in my mind to visit 
several parts of England, I began my journey on the 
17th of the Eighth Month, 1699, and visited Friends 
in Westmoreland and Yorkshire. I was engaged to 
warn all in the love of Christ, to prepare for their 
latter end, and to know their peace made with the 
Lord; for a day of trial was coming, wherein all 
would stand in need of it. I travelled through Not- 
tinghamshire and Leicestershire, to Huntingdonshire, 
where I met with great exercise with some apostates 
who had run out with George Keith. They laboured 
to lay waste the testimony of Truth ; but the Lord 
manifested his power, and stood by those who were 
true to him, stopped the mouths of gainsayers, and 
confounded them. From thence I went to the Isle 
of Ely, and Norfolk, and laboured in the work of the 
ministry for the gathering of people to Christ, that 
they might know him to be their Teacher ; and for 
the settling of those who were gathered ; stirring up 
all to their duties to God and one another. I then 
returned back to Huntingdon Quarterly Meeting ; 
and was engaged to encourage Friends to come up in 
their several gifts and services ; and to he faithful 
unto the testimony God had given them to bear, and to 



186 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



stand against every thing that would oppose it. There 
appeared at that meeting, some very malicious, who 
were bent to render Friends and their books odious ; 
but they were frustrated and- confounded by the 
Lord's power, which did eminently break forth 
amongst us, whereby the hearts of the faithful be- 
came truly glad. After the meeting I returned 
through the Vale of Belvoir, and found several who 
were unfaithful to the Truth which they professed. 
I had a warning to them to come up in faithfulness 
unto the Lord, or else their latter end would be mise- 
rable ; for the Lord would cast them off, and call others 
who would be more faithful. When I was clear of 
that place, I travelled through Derbyshire, Man- 
chester, Mankinholes, so to York Quarterly Meeting, 
and from thence home. 

Soon after my return home, I was seized with 
sickness ; and many concluded I could not live. But 
the Lord was kind to me, by his secret hand, when 
in weakness of body : and upon serious search I 
found nothing but peace, and that I had got my 
day's work done so far. My eye was unto the Lord 
Jesus, in whom my justification remained ; and I 
found peace, and his words true by experience, " In 
me ye shall have peace, but in the world tribulation." 
The sense of it at that time was very comfortable, 
and engaged me to be given up to follow him faith- 
fully unto the end ; for it is those that are faithful 
unto death, that will receive a crown of life. 

Some time after my recovery, there came a concern 
upon me to visit some cities in England. I took my 
journey on the 1st of the Twelfth Month, 1700 ; tra- 
velled to the city of Chester, and was at their meet- 
ing : a marriage being there that day, abundance of 
people came, but behaved rudely. The word of life 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



187 



was livingly declared, and the testimony of Truth, 
exalted, whereby the unruly spirits were chained 
down. I travelled through Staffordshire into Wor- 
cestershire to Worcester city ; from thence to Glou- 
cester, and so to Bristol, and visited Friends, labour- 
ing in the work of the gospel : the word of life 
prevailed, and many hearts were reached by the 
power of Truth. After I had visited several parts 
of Gloucestershire, and had good service, I returned 
home to my family ; was very diligent in attending 
meetings, both for worship and discipline, and visited 
meetings to and again in our own county. 

Finding drawings in my mind to visit several 
remote parts in Scotland and Ireland, I took my 
journey on the 15th of the Eighth Month, 1701 ; 
some Friends accompanying me to the Border Meet- 
ing, where we had a comfortable season together. I 
was engaged to warn Friends to be faithful to the 
Lord's requirings, and keep to the conduct of his Holy 
Spirit, that they might be guided in all their gifts to 
God's glory. The day following Robert and Richard 
Lattimer went with me into Scotland, and accom- 
panied me several days. As we travelled on the road 
to Dumfries, I had some words of exhortation to 
several on the road ; and some took it kindly. We 
met one man (whom we passed quietly by,) who was 
so filled with anger against us, that he followed me, 
and cried out in great rage, that I was a deceiver, 
and was going to delude the people. I stopped my 
horse, and asked him, What he had to charge me 
with, I being a stranger to him, and he to me ? — But 
he cried, Give me Scripture, or else I will not believe 
what thou sayest. — Seeing him full of envy, I told 
him, I had a Scripture for him, if he would hear it, 
which was, "Give not that which is holy unto the 



188 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest 
they trample them under their feet, and turn again 
and rend you," — Matt. vii. 6 ; which smote him so 
to the heart, that he was confounded, and left me. 

When we got to Dumfries we had a meeting in the 
streets,* where some of the people were sober, but 
others very rude. I warned them to repent and turn 
to the Lord while he strove with them by his Holy 
Spi?*it, lest the day of their visitation should pass 
over : declaring unto them, That the Lord was angry 
with the wicked every day ; and if they did not repent 
of their wickedness, all their talk of God, Christ, and 

* Samuel Bownas, who, (with his fellow-traveller in the work 
of the ministry, Isaac Thompson,) was in company with J. 
Dickinson, and R. and R. Lattimer at this time, makes the 
following mention of J. D., and of this meeting at Dumfries : — 

" We went on with boldness and cheerfulness, meeting on the 
way with our dear and worthy friend, James Dickinson, who was 
intending a visit into Ireland. In our journey from the Border 
to Dumfries, we had very profitable conversation with him, of good 
service to us both ; because we, by reason of youth, and want of 
experience, were often very weak ; and doubting whether we 
were right or not in the work : so that this dear Friend, by his 
tender and fatherly care and advice, was of great encouragement, 
in letting us know how weak and poor he often found himself ; 
which so much answered my condition, that it was as marrow to 
my bones. 

" "When we came to Dumfries, after we had taken some refresh- 
ment at our inn, James said to us, ' Lads, I find a concern 
to go into the street, will you go with me ?' For he thought it 
might only be to shew himself, and was desirous that we might 
go all together, being five in number. So we walked forth, and 
the inhabitants gazed upon us, for the Quakers were seldom seen 
in that town so many together: several came after us, and James 
lifted up his voice like a trumpet among the people, who were very 
quiet and attentive. When he was clear, we retired to our inn, 
and divers followed us, who were very rude and wicked, but were 
not permitted to hurt us. We had sweet comfort and refresh- 
ment one in another at our quarters." — Life of Samuel Bownas. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



189 



religion, would be in vain : for so long as people go on 
in rebellion against God's Holy Spirit, and give up their 
hearts to wickedness, their offerings are an abomination 
to him • as they might read in Isaiah, chap. lxvi. 

After the meeting, I had discourse with several 
people at the inn where we lodged. From thence 
proceeded on my journey towards Port Patrick, in 
order to take shipping for Ireland ; and as I travelled 
through Galloway, the states of the people were 
clearly manifested to me. I spoke to them, and 
warned them to repent and prepare for their latter 
end : several were reached and confessed to the 
Truth. On the Seventh day of the week we got to 
Stranraer, lodged at an inn, and staid there the First 
day. A concern came upon me to go into the 
streets. I went, and the Friends along with me ; we 
sat down on the market cross, (it being before the 
door of their worship house ;) and when the people 
came forth, it was upon me to pray unto the Lord on 
their behalf, That he ivould be pleased to open their 
understandings, and give them the knowledge of him- 
self, and their own states and conditions. The priest 
and people came crowding about me. Afterwards I 
stood up, and declared the way of life and salvation to 
them ; warning all to repent of their wickedness, and 
give up their hearts unto the Lord, that he might 
purify them by the spirit of judgment and burning ; 
'for I said, £ until your minds are turned unto the 
inward manifestations of the Lord Jesus Christ, all 
your preaching, pray ing, and singing is but vain, and 
an abomination in his sight, ivho is of purer eyes than 
to behold iniquity with approbation.' I directed them 
to the light and grace of God in their own hearts, 
and to mind the operations thereof ; for it would teach 
them to deny ungodliness and the world's lusts, and to 



190 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present 
world ; letting them understand, that what is to be 
known of God is made manifest in man, for the Lord 
hath shewed it unto them. Most of the people staid 
until I had cleared myself of what was on my mind ; 
then we went back to the inn and had some discourse 
with the people of the house, who confessed that what 
I had declared w T as true. 

Next morning I parted with the Friends in much 
sweetness of spirit. They returned home, and I tra- 
velled to Port Patrick, where I found the people 
very wicked. I had an opportunity with them at a 
burial : when the corpse was brought to the grave- 
yard, the people behaved rudely, and were vain ; bufc 
my heart was filled with the love of God, and I 
was engaged in public testimony among them. The 
inhabitants came out of their houses and crowded 
about me. I opened unto them how they, might 
come to the true knowledge of God ; and shewed 
them, according to the Scripture, that He was not 
far from them ; "for God, who commanded the light 
to shine out of darkness" as saith the apostle, "hath 
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the know- 
ledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ" 
— 2 Cor. iv. 6, 7 ; and that was the true believers' 
treasure, and they had it in their earthen vessels. 
So I directed all to Christ, the word nigh in the heart 
and mouth, who was to be obeyed ; and the hearts 
of several were reached by the power of God. After 
I had cleared myself, there came one to me and 
acknowledged to the Truth of what I had delivered ; 
and said, The people were rude because they had no 
minister in the place, nor none to instruct them. — 
I told him, They wanted the fear of God before their 
eyes, and the consideration of their latter end, other- 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



191 



wise they would not have been so light and vain upon 
such a solid occasion. — Then the man desired me to 
go along with him to his house ; and finding freedom, 
I went, and found a woman there, who had a young 
child : her husband was gone over to Ireland, and she 
was going, with her child, after him. Understanding 
that I was a minister, she desired me to baptize her 
child j and said she would pay me. — I told her, I did 
not preach for hire, but freely for the Lord's sake ; 
and as for baptizing her child, the Scriptures did not 
warrant me in it ; neither was I sent to baptize, but 
to preach the gospel, under a sense of a necessity the 
Lord had laid upon me. After some discourse, she 
seemed satisfied about it. 

I then took boat for Ireland ; whilst at sea we had 
a very high wind and much rain, so that most on 
board were afraid we should be lost ; but I told them 
I did believe we should get safe across. The seamen 
were for returning back to Scotland : this appeared 
more dangerous than to continue our course for 
Ireland. I therefore entreated them to keep their 
course ; which they did, and we were favoured to land 
safe at Carrickfergus the next day. I travelled 
through the north part of that nation, and had meet- 
ings where no Friends dwelt. The Lord manifested 
his power, and gave me his word and strength to 
p'ublish it ; so that some were convinced of the Truth. 
Being clear of the north, I travelled to Dublin ; was 
at their Half-Year's Meeting, and met with Friends 
from most parts of the nation. We had a comfort- 
able time together : the affairs of the church were 
managed in love and condescension : the Lord 
crowned our assembly with his living presence, 
which bowed our hearts in thankfulness to him, the 
Fountain of all our mercies. 



192 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



When this meeting was ended, I travelled to the 
province meeting in Munster ; visited that province, 
and had good satisfaction. Then I returned to 
Leinster province meeting, and found Friends zealous 
for the promotion of Truth, and maintaining good 
order and discipline in the church ; which was cause 
of gladness to my soul. Afterwards I was concerned 
to travel to many places in the province of Connaught, 
several Friends accompanying me. We had meetings 
at inns, and in places where no Friends lived : the 
testimony of Truth was freely declared, and the 
people directed to the light of Christ Jesus. Some 
strongly opposed the Truth, and others confessed 
thereunto. After I was clear of that province, I re- 
turned towards Mountmelick, in company with a 
Friend. When we were on the road, a great many 
Irish beset us, and one of them knocked the Friend 
down with a pitchfork. I, seeing him fall, alighted 
from my horse, and helped him up from under his 
horse's feet, he being bloody and not able to speak for 
some time. When he was a little recovered, I spoke 
to one of the men who stood by, who had set on the 
rest, and told him who he was, and that they would 
be called to an account for what they had done. So 
we went back to a house, and got the wound washed 
and bound up. He not being able to travel any 
further, I left him there, hired a guide, and went to 
Mountmelick ; where I spoke to a justice, and told 
him what usage we had met with on the road : he 
told me, He could do nothing for us, except I would 
swear to it ; then he would grant me a warrant to 
apprehend them. — I asked, If he did not believe I 
spoke the Truth ! — he said, Yes ; — but that did not 
answer the law : so I left him. A little while after, 
the Friend recovered, and the men were taken and 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



193 



punished by the magistrates. After I was clear of 
my service in that nation, I returned to Dublin, took 
shipping for Whitehaven, landed safe, went home and 
found my family well. 

On the 17th of the Ninth Month, 1702, I had a 
concern upon me to visit Friends in the West of 
England, as far as Exeter ; so took my journey, 
and travelled through several counties. The Lord 
favoured me with his living power, by which I was 
enabled to answer his requirings. I travelled hard, 
and passed through some danger by waters, it being 
winter j and when I was clear returned home with 
sweet peace. 

I was often concerned to attend the Yearly Meet- 
ing in London ; and had no greater pleasure than to 
feel the Lord's heart-melting power to prevail over 
me, and keep my mind in true resignation to answer 
his requirings. He was graciously pleased to favour 
us, and reach to us by his secret Arm of salvation ; 
and brought us into a holy travail for the good of the 
churches of Christ the world over, that the testi- 
mony of Truth might be exalted, and every thing 
that would hinder the growth and prosperity of God's 
people subdued. And as I gave up freely to the Lord's 
requirings, I witnessed peace ; which greatly engaged 
me to follow him faithfully wherever he was pleased 
to draw me. 

In the year 1704, I was engaged to visit Friends 
in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Jonathan Burnyeat 
had the like concern, and we travelled together in 
sweet brotherly love. The Lord went before us, opened 
our service to us'day by day, and enabled us to answer 
it ; so that we found great encouragement to follow 
him fully. We had many meetings in these counties ; 
exhorting Friends to prize the day of their visitation, 



194 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



(seeing the Lord had been pleased to maize known his 
way and Truth to them,) lest their day should pass 
over. We laboured to stir up all to faithfidness to 
the Lord ; and to wait to know their communion and 
felloivship to increase with him, and one with another, 
and the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse them from all 
unrighteousness. Having finished this service, I re- 
turned to my wife and family in peace. 

It was cause for thankfulness to find the secret 
hand of Providence attended us both inwardly and 
outwardly, and helped us to bear our testimony for 
Truth, both in doing and suffering. A law was now 
passed to recover tithes by warrant, and Friends were 
thereby brought into great suffering ; but the Lord 
was near to bear up, and give boldness to stand in 
our testimony against that anti-christian yoke ; and 
herein we found true peace. Many justices who 
were impropriators of tithes, laid heavy charges upon 
Friends j and some who had very little, suffered deeply. 
For a demand of three half-pence, they would often 
lay on ten shillings charges, and to recover their 
claims, make spoil of Friends' goods. Many of their 
honest neighbours were troubled that such things 
should be, and would have paid for them ; but 
Friends .held their refusal to pay, to be matter of 
faith and conscience, God's cause which he had en- 
trusted us with, and not our own ; Christ having 
put an end to the first priesthood and fulfilled the 
law that gave tithes, and is himself a holy High 
Priest for ever, not after the order of Aaron, but after 
the order of Melchizedec. This being our faith, for 
which many Friends had suffered, and laid down their 
lives in nasty jails, we could not accept of this offer 
to pay for us, lest we should make shipwreck of faith 
and a good conscience, and lose our peace with God. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



195 



Great was my exercise many times for the promo- 
tion of Truth's testimony, and in standing against 
that which caused it to suffer. About this time there 
appeared some in our county very hot and zealous 
for order and discipline in the church, and busied 
themselves in church affairs. I saw they were going 
into Ranterism, and told Friends of it, desiring that 
endeavours might be used to help them, which was 
done ; but they refusing to take advice, ran out 
into strife and contention, and became bitter opposers 
of Friends and Truth, to their own irreparable loss. 
My spirit was deeply afflicted, and under great exer- 
cise ; but I could not help them. The Lord shewed 
me it was a false birth, begotten in them by the power 
of darkness, and that all who joined with them would 
be hurt ; but that they should proceed no further 
than to manifest their folly. 

I had many journies on the account of the testi- 
mony God had given me to bear ; for whenever I 
found the Lord to draw me forth, I gave up in 
obedience thereunto. My dear wife was a true help- 
mate to me, and never hindered me at any time ; but 
often desired me to mind my service, and answer it ; 
and let all other concerns give way to Truth's concerns. 
We found godliness was truly " profitable unto all 
things, having promise of the life that now is, and 
of that which is to come," life everlasting ■ so that 
we were encouraged to follow the Lord fully, and 
keep to his eternal power that had prevailed over us. 
And the more our eyes were kept to him, the greater 
necessity we found of the help of his Holy Spirit to 
keep us in our way heaven-wards ; knowing without 
him we could do nothing, and seeing our own in- 
firmities to be great. But as we kept to the light 
and guidings of his Holy Spirit, we witnessed his 

o2 



196 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



strength manifested in our weakness ; so that we were 
made to magnify that Arm which is strong, and as 
near to help his people as ever. Those who are alive 
to God know it j and the reason why people know 
it not, is, because they do not turn to and mind the 
manifestation of the light of the Lord in themselves, 
and come to walk in it ; for " to as many as re- 
ceived him, to them gave he power to become the 
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." 
— Johni. 12. God is still faithful in fulfilling his 
promises ; and whatever they ask in his name, he 
gives them : such are bound in duty to return to him 
thanksgiving and glory, who is worthy thereof. 

I had a concern, for several years, to visit Friends 
a third time, in America ; and understanding my 
ancient companion and fellow-labourer in the gospel, 
Thomas Wilson, had a concern for that land, I wrote 
to him, and we agreed to meet at Dublin. I ac- 
quainted my brethren with what I had upon my 
mind j and they having unity with me therein, our 
hearts were broken and tendered before the Lord, 
and our prayers were poured forth unto him for one 
another's preservation. I agreed with Richard Kelsey 
of Whitehaven, for my passage ; and on the First 
day of the week, I, with my dear wife, went to our 
own meeting at Pardshaw-Cragg : there I received 
notice that the master had ordered all his men to be 
on board by the tenth hour at night, intending to 
sail that tide. We had a blessed, heavenly meeting ; 
after which I went to Whitehaven, my wife and 
several Friends accompanying me. We alighted at 
an inn, and had a sweet opportunity together ; then 
went down to the ship-side, where I parted with my 
wife and Friends, (except John Robinson and Joseph 
Steel, who in pure love, accompanied me to Dublin) 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



197 



in much bowed-downness of mind before the Lord, in 
a sense of his love that had prevailed over me to 
answer his requirings ; in which I found my peace to 
flow abundantly. Then I went on board, and in two 
days' time arrived at Dublin, where I met with my dear 
companion, Thomas Wilson, who was ready to embark 
with me. We staid two weeks in Dublin, had a com- 
fortable time among Friends, and parted with them 
in much love and tenderness. 

On the 8th of the Tenth Month, 1713, we sailed 
for Virginia. The wind being southerly, we stood 
down the North Channel, and in three days' time got 
clear of the land : but soon after, we met with a hard 
gale of wind, and were driven to the northward, near 
Greenland \ so that we got but little on our voyage for 
several w^eeks. The master was very diligent and 
careful in the ship, and among his men, and respect - 
ful to us. He being a serious, thoughtful man, we 
had much discourse w r ith him about religion ; and 
he was several times reached by the power of the 
Lord, and confessed to the Truth. The Lord was 
kind to us, filled our hearts with his love, and sweet- 
ened our exercises when upon the deep ocean. The 
wind favouring us, we got well into Lynhaven Bay 
within the Capes of Virginia, that day nine w r eeks 
we lost sight of Ireland ; then sailed up Chesapeak 
Bay into Rappahannoc River, and went on shore at 
Queen Anne's Tow r n, on the 14th of the Twelfth 
Month, where we parted with our kind captain in 
great love. He spoke to us to take some of our pro- 
vision along with us, and gave us loving counsel ; 
which counsel we took kindly. 

After we landed, we found the people seemingly 
kind, went to a house and refreshed ourselves : from 
thence we hired horses to York River, Next day we 



198 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



got over to the western shore, took our saddles, 
bags, and great coats, upon our shoulders, and tra- 
velled several miles : then met a man who knew me, 
and said he had best alight and take our things upon 
his horse ; which we kindly accepted. So he went 
along with us to James Bates's house, who received 
us gladly. It being their Week-day Meeting, we 
went along with them, though we were very weary 
with travelling ; yet the Lord remembered us in 
mercy, and we had a comfortable meeting with the 
few Friends there. Then we travelled through Vir- 
ginia to North Carolina, and had many good meet- 
ings, both among Friends and others. Truth was 
manifested, and the gospel of life and salvation freely 
declared ; and we were comforted with our brethren. 
In Carolina we found a hopeful stock of young 
people, whom the Lord was qualifying for his service ; 
and they received the testimony of Truth with glad- 
ness : we also met with several who had been con- 
vinced when we laboured in these parts before ; and it 
was a great comfort to us to find them walking in the 
Truth. 

After we were clear, we returned back to Chucka- 
tuck, where we had a precious meeting ; then tra- 
velled towards Nancemond, and had good service : 
after which we visited Friends up James River, and 
so returned by Black Creek, and had several meet- 
ings. We directed the minds of people unto the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the blessed teachings of his 
Holy Spirit, which we found at work in the hearts of 
several, which was cause of gladness to us. Then we 
passed over Potomack River, travelled late, and got 
to a justice's house. He kindly invited us to stay all 
night, which we did, and had some religious dis- 
course with him ; he was very friendly, and confessed 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



199 



to the Truth. Next day we passed over Patuxent 
River, and visited Friends on the western shore of 
Maryland ; where we found great openness both 
among them and others. From thence we crossed 
the bay to the eastern shore, several Friends accom- 
panying us : we travelled to Salem in Jersey, having 
many glorious meetings, the Lord's good presence 
still attending us ; and we staid the Yearly Meeting 
at Salem, which was large and to satisfaction. After 
we had visited the meetings on that side of Delaware 
River, we passed over to Philadelphia, and visited 
Friends in that city : the Lord's power was witnessed 
in our assemblies, and the doctrine of Truth largely 
opened. From thence we travelled to German Town, 
and visited the meetings of Friends in Pennsyl- 
vania, some of which were the largest I had ever 
been at : people flocked so to them, that several 
hundreds were forced to stand without doors, the 
meeting-house not being large enough to contain 
them. We preached unto them the doctrine of 
Truth, whereby the hearts of several were reached. 
Then we crossed over the River Delaware again, and 
visited Friends in the Jerseys. After which, we took 
boat at Woodbridge for New York ; from thence to 
Flushing, and so to the Yearly Meeting in Long 
Island, which began the 30th of the Third Month, 
and held four days : it was very large, and we had a 
good opportunity among Friends and others. Friends 
were in sweet unity, and the affairs of the church 
were managed in true brotherly love. 

Being pressed in spirit to be at the Yearly Meeting 
at Rhode Island, we took shipping and arrived at 
Newport, the day before the meeting began. The 
universal love of God was held forth to the people, 
and many hearts were reached and tendered thereby. 



200 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



After the meeting, we travelled to Taunton, and had 
a meeting there among the Presbyterians : many 
came and were generally well satisfied ; several were 
reached, and some convinced ; and a meeting is since 
settled there. From thence we travelled to Dart- 
mouth : and finding a concern on my mind to go to 
the Yearly Meeting at Nantucket, I left my com- 
panion and took ship for that island. We were 
in some danger in passing through Woodse's Hole, 
which had a great many rocks in it ; but having a 
fresh gale of wind, we got well through ; the vessel 
struck ground several times, yet went off again with- 
out damage. Many of the inhabitants came to the 
meeting : the gospel was freely preached, and all 
directed to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the word 
of his grace, that is still able to keep from evil, and 
give them a place among them that are sanctified. The 
people were generally sober, and some were con- 
vinced. 

Being clear, I took shipping for Dartmouth ; but 
meeting with a contrary wind, got to a harbour : and 
understanding there would be a meeting the next 
day at a Friend's house, about eight miles distant, I 
left the vessel and travelled along with the Friend 
to Daniel Butler's house, and staid there all night. 
Next morning went along with the Friends to the 
meeting : many sober people came, the testimony of 
Truth was declared, and the Lord's power witnessed 
to our comfort. After the meeting, I proceeded to 
Sandwich, where I met with my companion. We 
travelled through the country to Boston, and had 
some meetings to satisfaction as we went. At Boston 
we had several meetings ; the testimony of Truth 
was declared, and the way of life and salvation mani- 
fested ; and several were reached and affected thereby. 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



201 



From tlience we went to Lynn, Salem, and the 
eastern parts of New England, as far as Dover; setting 
forth to the people that the love of God was extended 
unto them in order for their salvation. The priests 
were enraged against us, and laboured to keep the 
people from coming to our meetings ; but Truth pre- 
vailed, and abundance of people nocked to hear the 
gospel preached ; so that several were convinced, and 
the mouths of gainsayers stopped. After we had 
cleared ourselves there, we returned back to Boston 
and had several meetings : Truth prevailed, many 
hearts were affected, and divers convinced. From 
thence we travelled to the Yearly Meeting at Provi- 
dence : there came several rude and disorderly per- 
sons ; but we warned them to repent of their wicked- 
ness and turn to the Lord. The power of the Lord 
came mightily over the people, and we had a glorious, 
heavenly meeting. From thence we travelled to 
Rhode Island, and had several meetings in our way. 

After our service was over in that place, we parted 
with Friends, and returned by water to Long Island; 
being desirous to be at the Yearly Meeting at Bur- 
lington, which is held there for West Jersey and 
Pennsylvania. We took shipping at Newport, and 
were nine days at sea ; had a meeting on board, and 
had several opportunities to vindicate our principles : 
some were reached by the Truth. We landed at 
Flushing, had a meeting there, and several more 
on the Island : abundance of people attended them ; 
the Lord's power was eminently witnessed, and the 
hearts of the faithful truly comforted. From thence 
we went to New York, several friends accompanying 
us ; and we had a precious meeting there : then crossed 
over to Elizabeth Town by sea ; so travelled to Wood- 
bridge and had good service there : many hearts 



202 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



were reached by the Truth, and some convinced. 
Then we travelled through Jersey to Pennsylvania 
again, where we met with John Salkeld and John 
Wright at the Falls meeting, who were travelling in 
Truth's service. The next day, we were at their 
Quarterly Meeting, and encouraged Friends to keep 
to the good order established among us ; the Lord 
owned us, and filled our hearts with love to him and 
one another. After the meeting, we travelled towards 
the wilderness, and visited Friends in North Wales : 
we had several meetings in the country thereabouts, 
and many were reached and convinced of God's blessed 
Truth. At Nottingham we had a large and heavenly 
meeting ; it was held in the woods, because the house 
was not large enough to contain the people. From 
thence we came back by way of New Garden, were at 
a marriage there, and had good service in opening to 
the people the way of life and salvation ; and shewed 
them it ivas the Lord that joined people, and not the 
work of any priest under the laiv, nor minister under 
the gospel, but the parties concerned by consent ; and 
those that were present were witnesses, as in the case of 
Boaz and Ruth : the Lord owned us, and Truth came 
up into dominion. 

We travelled to Philadelphia, took boat and went 
to Burlington Yearly Meeting ; where the Lord 
owned us with his living presence, and we had a 
glorious season together. The meeting held five days ; 
and there was such a concourse of people that we had 
two meetings at once, one at the court-house, and 
the other at Friends' meeting-house. The affairs of 
Truth were managed in love and meekness, to the 
edification of the church. We parted in love, re- 
turned to Philadelphia, and visited the out-corners of 
Pennsylvania. Afterwards we proceeded to the Yearly 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



203 



Meeting on the eastern shore of Maryland, which 
held four days : we had good service and came away 
in peace of mind. Then we visited the lower counties 
of Pennsylvania, where we had many precious meet- 
ings, and several were convinced of the Truth. We 
returned again to Philadelphia ; and after some stay 
in and about that city, we parted with Friends in the 
love of God, travelled down to Oxford, in Maryland, 
and agreed with the master of a vessel for our passage 
to England: but not being fully clear, we were 
desirous to have staid a little longer. The master 
told us, his signal for sailing should be the firing of a 
gun, and so we might stay till then • but we were 
called on board before we had quite gone through our 
service. 

On the 7th of the Ninth Month, 1714, we took 
shipping at Oxford ; and within two days after we set 
sail, the ship sprung a leak. We were greatly exer- 
cised in our spirits, and treated with the captain to 
return back, in order to get the leak stopped ; but he 
and the rest of the officers resolved to proceed on 
their voyage. The wind being contrary, they could 
get little forward, but rode at anchor ; in which time 
we told the captain, it appeared to us that Divine 
Providence had put the opportunity into his hand, 
whereby he might save his own life, and all that were 
with him, and the ship too. When we had got about 
twenty leagues from the land, we were becalmed ; 
and the leak increased so, that she made near two 
feet water in half an hour ; then they, all repented 
that they did not take our advice. We w r ere deeply 
exercised, and poured forth our prayers unto the 
Almighty ; w T ho was graciously pleased to grant our 
petition, and caused a gentle south wind to blow the 
next day ; and the leak stopped so as the pumps kept 



204 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



her clear ; and after some difficulty we got to an 
anchor in Lynhaven bay. 

We went on shore the 25th of the Ninth Month, 
and the next day got among Friends. They were 
glad to see us ; and our hearts were deeply thankful 
to the Almighty for so signal a preservation. We 
laboured in the work of the gospel at Nancemond, 
where several hearts were thoroughly reached by the 
penetrating power of God. After which, we visited 
several places remote from the body of Friends ; 
then crossed James River, and visited Friends in 
York county ; we had several meetings, to which 
abundance of people came : the doctrine of Truth 
was declared, and several convinced, which was cause 
of gladness to us. From thence we travelled into 
the county of Kent, where we had laboured in the 
work of the ministry twenty-three years before : 
several were then convinced, and a meeting settled 
from that time. We rejoiced to find people gathered 
to God ; and we had many precious meetings in 
those parts. We travelled next into the county of 
Westmoreland ; had good service there, and found 
great openness among the people : several were con- 
vinced of the Truth, the mouths of gainsayers were 
stopped, and the testimony of Truth exalted over 
all. Then we found our hearts engaged to visit 
Friends on the western shore of Maryland ; so tra- 
velled to Potomack River, which we got over with 
some difficulty and charge ; being willing to spend 
and be spent to answer the Lord's requirings ; who 
had been kind to us and his people, in blessing us 
both inwardly and outwardly. Friends were willing 
to accompany us ; and we were truly thankful unto 
the Lord, that he had raised up a people, and made 
them willing to serve him : for when we travelled in 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



205 



those parts in 1692, we had no guide for a hundred 
miles ; and lay out in the woods ; yet we travelled in 
faith that the Lord would spread his Truth, and exalt 
it in the earth. We saw it fulfilled in part ; and 
firmly believe that he will carry it on to his own 
glory. We took our journey through the woods, and 
lodged at a poor man's house that night. We gave 
him money for his kind entertainment : he told us 
he had entertained many, but never had taken any 
thing before : we told him we were not willing to be 
chargeable to any, but would freely pay him. 

We travelled to Patuxent River, and had a meet- 
ing on the First day : it was a day of visitation to 
the youth, whose hearts were opened by the love of 
God, in which we laboured to turn their minds to his 
teaching. We made a thorough visit on the western 
shore : many flocked to our meetings and heard 
the gospel freely declared, and the principles of 
Truth laid open : several were convinced, and the 
faithful comforted in the Lord. Then we passed over 
the river to the eastern shore, and had a meeting ; to 
which abundance of people came, that were not 
Friends. The Lord appeared to our comfort, and we 
had good service in many places in those parts. 
Being clear of that shore, several young men got a 
boat, and set us over the bay. It being very foggy, 
we landed at Sharp's Island, and went on shore : the 
young men made a fire near the boat, and lay by it all 
night ; my companion and I went to a house upon 
the island, where we staid until the next morning. 
The people were very loving, and would take nothing 
for our bed. Then we took boat, and through some 
difficulty got to West River, and had several meet- 
ings among Friends : we laboured in the love of God, 
to settle them upon Christ, the Rock and Foundation. 



206 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



After which, finding our spirits fully clear, we 
concluded to take shipping for England. There 
being a ship bound for London, we agreed for our 
passage ; went on board on the 10th of the Twelfth 
Month, 1714, and on the 17th of the same, weighed 
anchor, and came out of the Capes of Virginia. 
We had a good passage till we came near the coasts 
of Ireland, where we met with a small ship bound 
for Cork : we left the ship we were in and went 
on board the small vessel. Afterwards we met with 
a contrary wind, and were seven days at sea ; then 
landed safe at Cork, on the 30th of the First Month, 
1715. We staid a meeting with Friends at Cork, 
and the Lord's power was manifested among us ; his 
love melted our hearts, and prepared sacrifices of 
praises to the God and Father of all our mercies, who 
with his dear Son, is worthy thereof. 

After the meeting, we took our journey towards 
the province meeting at Mountmelick, and with hard 
travel got there on the First day. Friends were 
settled in the meeting before we went in : the Lord's 
power overshadowed the meeting in a wonderful 
manner, so that we were sweetly comforted together. 
After this meeting, I parted with my dear companion, 
Thomas Wilson, in the love of God, and went with 
Friends to Dublin. The next day, had a meeting to 
satisfaction : after which I took shipping, sailed that 
night, and landed next evening at Whitehaven, and 
was at our own meeting at Pardshaw Cragg ; where 
Friends were glad to see me returned safely from so 
long a journey ; and we were comforted in the Lord 
and one another. 

In all this voyage and journey, we were highly 
favoured with health for the most part, and way was 
made for us far beyond what we could expect ; having 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



207 



travelled by sea and land about 12,000 miles. At 
my return home, I found my wife and family well, 
for which I was truly thankful : the Lord who 
separated us for his name sake, brought us together 
again to our great comfort ; which caused us to ad- 
mire his goodness, and to bless his most worthy 
name. 

I staid but a few weeks at home before I took my 
journey for London ; having drawings in my mind to 
be at the Yearly Meeting there. I travelled through 
Yorkshire, and had several meetings as I went along, 
which were to the satisfaction and comfort of Friends. 
I got to London the day before the meeting began, 
and met with several brethren from Ireland, and 
most parts of this nation. The Lord crowned our 
assemblies with his living presence, and filled our 
hearts with the joy of his salvation. 

In the year 1717, I passed through various exer- 
cises, yet the Lord's power supported and enabled me 
to stand in my testimony both in doing and suffering. 
A concern increased in my mind for the peace and 
welfare of the church, and that every thing might be 
kept out which would hurt the growth and prosperity 
thereof. We were greatly exercised in our county 
with many filthy and unclean spirits ; and much 
abused by them both in meetings and out of meet- 
ings. I went to the Yearly Meeting for the northern 
counties, held at Chester, which was to the satisfac- 
tion and comfort of Friends. 

On the 29th of the Third Month, I took my 
journey from my own house to the Yearly Meeting in 
London, and had service at several places on the road. 
I got to London the night before the meeting began, 
and met with brethren from several parts of this 
nation and Ireland. The meeting was large ; and 



208 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



Friends were zealously concerned for the prosperity 
of Truth, and that every thing might be kept out of 
the church which would hinder the growth thereof. 
We had many precious seasons, and were comforted 
in the Lord. 

After the meeting, I was engaged by the love of 
God, to visit several parts of this nation. At Read- 
ing, Friends were under a great exercise with a rend- 
ing, dividing spirit, that many were betrayed into ; 
yet the Lord's power came over them, and they who 
had gone out into separation, left their meeting and 
returned to Friends again. My travail among them 
was, That all might be baptized down, as into the 
bottom of J or dan, there to be purged from their un- 
cleanness ; and so be fitted for the camp of God, and 
know him to tabernacle with them. The Lord's power 
was manifested among us, to the comfort of all who 
truly loved it. Then I travelled to Newbury ; and 
through Wiltshire to Bristol. My exercise was, That 
all might be sensible of the ivorh of the Lord to 
sanctify and fit them for his kingdom. I saw the 
fields ripe unto harvest, which was great, and the 
faithful labourers therein were but a few : my cries 
went forth unto the Lord, That he would fit many, 
and send them forth into his harvest. He was near to 
answer, and to bow the spirits of many under the 
operation of his hand ; of which I was glad, under a 
sense of his great love to mankind. After I was 
clear of that city, I returned homewards ; visited 
many places, and had good satisfaction. 

Having some drawings to visit Friends and others 
in Northumberland and Durham, on the 11th of the 
Eleventh Month, 1717, I took my journey and went 
to Wigton ; and was exercised with some ranting 
spirits : yet the Lord's power came over them, and 



OP JAMES DICKINSON. 



209 



the faithful were comforted. Then I travelled to 
Carlisle, and from thence to Alstone, where I found 
several who were convinced of the Truth, and brought 
forth in public testimony : it was cause of gladness 
to me, thus to behold the Lord's work to prosper. 
After which I passed on through Allondale, where I 
found some young people convinced, and hopeful to 
do well. Then I travelled to Newcastle, and warned 
people to give up their hearts unto the Lord. From 
thence I went to Shields and Sunderland, where I 
met -with Thomas Story, who was travelling upon 
Truth's account, and had been above three years from 
his own habitation ; having visited Friends in America, 
and many parts of England, Wales, Holland, Scot- 
land, and Ireland. I was glad to see him, and to 
hear of the prosperity of Truth in those parts. After 
which, I proceeded on my journey to Stockton, Dar- 
lington, Auckland, and Raby, visiting Friends ; and 
being clear I returned home. 

Some time after my return, I went to our Quarterly 
Meeting at Carlisle ; and so to the Yearly Meeting at 
Kendal, which was large. Several people of other 
persuasions came into the meeting, who were sober 
and attentive, and pretty much aifected with the 
testimonies that were borne : the meeting ended well, 
and to good satisfaction. 

On the 17th of the Third Month, 1718, I took my 
journey for the Yearly Meeting in London along 
with Peter Fearon. We had several meetings as we 
went ; and in London we met with Friends from 
several parts of this nation and Ireland, who were 
come to attend that meeting. We laboured together 
for the good of the church ; and the Lord was with 
us, and enabled us to go through our respective 
services to his glory, and our mutual edification, 

p 



210 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



After the meeting I returned home to my family, 
and found peace ; as I always did in answering that 
service I believed the Lord required of me. When 
I was at liberty I laboured diligently in my out- 
ward business, not only because of the benefit I re- 
ceived therefrom, but that I might be exemplary 
among my neighbours. 

A concern having been upon my mind for some 
time, to visit the western parts of England, I took my 
journey on the 2nd of the Ninth Mouthy 1718, and 
visited several counties as far as Bristol, and had 
service in that city : after which I travelled into 
Devonshire ; then returned to Bristol, and from 
thence I travelled through Wiltshire, by way of 
Beading, to London. After some stay in and about 
that city, I returned home, having had many precious 
meetings among my brethren. My labour and travail 
was, to encourage the faithful, stir up the backward, 
and warn the wicked to repent, and turn to the teach- 
ings of the Lord J esus Christ. 

Finding myself engaged to visit Friends in the 
nation of Ireland once more, on the 23rd of the 
Eighth Month, 1722, I set forward on my journey, 
and went to David Hodgson's [near Carlisle,] in com- 
pany with several Friends. Next morning we met 
John Urwen,* (who had the like concern with me,) at 

•* "John Urwen was born at Parkrigg, in the north of Cum- 
berland. He was educated in a sober, religious manner, and was 
favoured with the visitations of divine love in his early years, 
whereby he was engaged to seek the Lord, and to love him above 
all. About the twenty-eighth year of his age. he was called to 
the ministry. His testimony for some time was not large, but 
very edifying and acceptable : and as he kept in pure, humble 
dependence upon the Lord, he improved in his gift greatly, and, 
in due time became a truly evangelical minister. He was often 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



211 



Allason's Bank in Scotland ; and proceeding to 
Dumfries we lodged there. Next morning the 
Friends who came to accompany me returning home, 
we continued our journey, and found the people high 
in notion, and bent against the Truth, which occa- 
sioned us to mourn before the Lord. We then went 
to Baldown to William Boyges's, and had a comfort- 
able meeting there on the First day. The day fol- 
lowing we travelled to Port Patrick, where we staid 
some time, (the wind being contrary,) under great 
exercise of spirit, because of the wickedness of the 
people. We had a meeting among them at a widow's 
house where we lodged, and the gospel was freely 
preached unto them ; some were affected therewith, 
and confessed to the Truth, which filled our hearts 
with thankfulness unto the Lord, who made way for 
us to clear our consciences among them. On the 
First day of the week my companion had a concern 
upon him to go to their worship house, and I found 

in those small meetings [of his own neighbourhood,] powerfully 
engaged in the ministry ; also in fervent supplication, in which he 
was favoured with near access to the Almighty. His services 
in the discipline were likewise weighty ; for being a man of 
great natural abilities, and those sanctified, and made subser- 
vient to the Truth, he became singularly eminent in the church. 
— He repeatedly visited Friends of this nation, Scotland and 
Ireland.- — In the latter part of his time, Divine Wisdom permitted 
him to be deeply tried in divers respects : he went through evil 
report and good report : but the Lord was with him, enabling 
him to bear all with calmness and Christian fortitude, and to per- 
severe faithfully many years after, both in the ministry and the 
discipline of the church. — Some time before his departure he said, 
that nothing stood in his way ; and that if he had his life to live 
over again, he did not well know how to do better. — He died at 
Mosside, in Cumberland, in the year 1762, aged about 86, and a 
minister 58 years." — Testimony of Carlisle Monthly Meeting. 



212 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



it my place to go with him. After the priest had 
done, my companion stood up to clear himself of what 
was upon his mind ; but the priest, contrary to his 
promise, that < he should be heard,' went out, and 
ordered all the rest to follow him, or else the door 
should be locked : so they all came out, and we 
found ourselves clear, and came away in peace. 

Next day we took boat for Ireland, and had a 
great storm at sea, and were in danger of being cast 
away ; but the Lord preserved us, and we arrived 
safe on shore ; and 'went next day to Lisnagarvy, 
where Friends were glad to see us. We travelled 
through the north, and had many precious meetings. 
After we were clear of the north, we proceeded to 
Edenderry, visiting meetings all along ; labouring in 
that ability Glod gave us, for the stirring up of all to 
faithfulness. We went from thence to the province 
meeting at Carlow. After our service there, we tra- 
velled into the counties of Wicklow and Waterford, 
and had many blessed seasons in those parts ; labour- 
ing to gather people to God's teaching, and to turn 
them from that of Satan. Then we travelled to 
Ross, and through several places to the province 
meeting at Cork, which was large. The affairs of 
the church were carried on and managed in the 
peaceable spirit of Christ, and the meeting ended 
well. After which we visited Friends in the county 
of Limerick ; then travelled to the province meeting 
at Mountmelick ; and from thence to my former dear 
companion Thomas Wilson's, and were sweetly re- 
freshed together in the enjoyment of Grod's love. 
We parted with him in much tenderness at Eden- 
derry, travelled to Dublin, and had some service 
there. 

Finding ourselves clear of that city we took ship- 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



213 



ping for England. On our voyage we had a great 
storm, and cast anchor in Eamsey bay. The wind 
was so strong that we could not raise our anchor, and 
in the night, another ship was driven upon the bow 
of ours ; our bow-sprit got between her main-mast 
and mizen-mast, and she was like to have driven us 
from our anchor ; but our men cut their mizen- 
shrouds, and we got clear one of another, which was 
a great mercy ; for had it been otherwise, we might 
all have perished. Thus the Lord's arm was made 
bare for our help ; and we landed safe at Parton in 
Cumberland. The next day, I parted with my com- 
panion, returned home and found my family well. 
Thus was I brought under renewed obligation to 
return praise and thanksgiving to the holy name of 
the Lord, who had helped me through my travels, 
been with my dear wife, and brought us together 
again, with an increase of peace in our bosoms. I 
staid at home some time, and was very diligent in 
attending meetings, and visiting Friends to and 
again in our county. 

After this, a concern came upon me to visit Friends 
in the west of England. My wife at this time being 
under great weakness of body, I was unwilling to 
leave her ; but she bid me answer what the Lord re- 
quired of me, and not let any thing hinder my service ; 
for life is in the hand of the Lord, and he can give or 
take away at his 'pleasure. So I gave up to the Lord's 
requirings, in which I witnessed peace. I set forth 
on my journey with William Dixon,* a Friend of 

* " William Dixon, resided at "Waterend, in Loweswater, Cum- 
berland. He was descended of believing parents, and educated 
in the way of Truth.. It pleased the Lord to visit him in his 
tender age, and he freely gave up to follow his leadings. About 
the twenty-first or twenty-second year of his age, he came forth 



214 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



our meeting, who had the like concern with me. 
We travelled through Lancashire, and the west parts 
of England, as far as the Land's end : our labour was, 
to turn people to the Lord, and settle them on his 
teachings. We found an openness in many places 
to receive the testimony of Truth, for which we 
were truly thankful : after which, finding ourselves 
clear, we returned home. 

On the 2nd of the Tenth Month, 1726, I set 
forward on my journey, and William Dixon along 
with me, to visit Friends in Yorkshire. We had a 
meeting at Soulby, among some people who had been 
hurt by a wrong spirit, and were gone into separation 
from Friends ; yet we found the riches of the love of 
God unto them, and several hearts were touched 
therewith. We went to Penrith that evening, and 
had a meeting there, to which several of the Sepa- 
rates, and abundance of other people came. The 
Lord's power was manifested, and the testimony of 
Truth declared : we directed them to the light of 
the Lord Jesus Christ which shineth in their hearts, in 



in public testimony ; and being faithful to the gift bestowed upon 
him, he grew and became very serviceable. He travelled pretty 
much in his early coming forth, into most of the adjacent 
counties, as also in some western counties. He was rather back- 
ward in appearance ; but his doctrine was sound, and often dropped 
as the dew, and distilled as the rain on the tender plants ; and 
he was very fervent in his approaches in prayer. He was of a 
weakly constitution, and about the thirty-sixth year of his age, 
fell into a decline. During his illness, among other sweet expres- 
sions he said, 4 lam satisfied when this poor body goes to the dust, 
there is a place of rest prepared for my soul. Oh ! it is good to 
make use of time. I rejoice that I die in unity with my friends, 
and that the Lord is now near me.'' He died in the year 1734, 
and thirty-seventh of his age."— Testimony of Cumberland 
Quarterly Meeting, 



OF JAMES DICKINSON, 



215 



order to give them the knowledge of God, whom to 
lenow is life eternal. Many hearts were reached, and 
we had the answer of peace for our labours of love 
among them. After which we went to Strickland 
and had a meeting there, which was to satisfaction ; 
and from thence to Swaledale, Richmond, and several 
parts of Yorkshire, to the Quarterly Meeting at York, 
where we met with John Salkeld, who was come from 
America to visit Friends in England. At this meet- 
ing I laid before Friends the necessity there was to 
take care to preserve the accounts of Friends suffer- 
ings, and of their exercises and deep trials they had, 
undergone for the testimony the Lord had given 
them to bear: and how he had made manifest his 
eternal power for their help, and wrought wonders for 
their deliverance ; that those accounts might he service- 
able to future generations : and the Quarterly Meet- 
ing took notice of it, and agreed that it should be 
offered to the Yearly Meeting in London. I had 
offered the same to our Quarterly Meeting in Cum- 
berland, [which meeting] agreed with me. After- 
wards we travelled to the Quarterly Meetings at 
Lancaster and Kendal ; both of which meetings 
agreed with me in my proposition for collecting the 
accounts of Friends' sufferings. Then being clear of 
what was upon our minds, we returned home, and 
found things well, which was cause of gladness to me. 

After I had staid some time at home, I took ship- 
ping at Whitehaven for the Half- Year's Meeting at 
Dublin, at which meeting I offered the concern 
which was upon my mind, for putting Friends' suffer- 
ings in order for future service. The meeting took it 
under consideration, and became zealously concerned 
that care might be taken for preserving the records 
of Friends' sufferings, for the benefit of future ages ; 



216 



LIFE AND TRAVELS 



that they might know how the Lord had raised up a 
people, who were no people, to bear testimony to his 
name and Truth upon earth, not only to believe, but 
also to suffer for it. After the meeting was over, I 
returned home. 

In the year 1727, I travelled to the Yearly Meet- 
ing at Chester, which was large ; and many testi- 
monies were borne, directing all to the Lord's teach- 
ings : after which I travelled through several counties 
to the Yearly Meeting at Bristol ; still labouring in 
that ability God gave me, to gather people to the teach- 
ings of his Holy Spirit. From thence I travelled to 
the Yearly Meeting in London ; and laid the concern 
which had been upon my mind for some time, about 
collecting and printing an account of the deep suffer- 
ings which Friends had undergone ; that they might 
he transmitted to future ages for a testimony of the 
great favours and mercies of God to his faithful people. 
The meeting saw it was necessary, and the same was 
soon after proceeded upon. Then I got ease of the 
concern which had been so long upon me. After the 
meeting was over, visiting some meetings in my way, 
I returned home and found things well ; for which I 
was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who provided 
for me both inwardly and outwardly ; blessed be his 
holy name for ever. 

And thus ended, as far as appears, the writings of 
this worthy man ; for after the year, 1727, we find 
no account, though he travelled several times to the 
Yearly Meeting in London, and through many parts 
of this natioja ; but being seized about that time 
with a paralytic disorder, that might probably be 
the reason that he committed no more to writing. 

In the year 1726, his wife died, which was a great 



OF JAMES DICKINSON. 



217 



loss to him, (his bodily infirmities considered ;) but he 
bore it with patience, and resignation unto the divine 
will, believing it was her great and everlasting gain. 

He was very constant in attending the Quarterly 
Meetings in this county, and also the meetings for 
worship and discipline he belonged to, even when 
under great weakness of body ; which is a convinc- 
ing testimony of his steady and unshaken zeal for the 
promotion of Truth, and the good of souls. 

About a year before his death, his distemper, the 
palsy, increased upon him to such a degree that he 
lost the use of one side, and his speech was in a great 
measure taken from him ; yet he had small intervals, 
in which he seemed to surmount the decays of sink- 
ing nature, and appeared in a sweet and heavenly 
disposition of mind ; intimating that his day's work 
was done ; and that God, whom he had served, was 
still with him ; that he had the evidence of peace and 
future felicity sealed upon his soul, and was only wait- 
ing to be removed ; but ivas fully resigned unto the Lord 
to wait his time : and leaning upon the divine Arm of 
consolation, his afflictions and exercises became more 
easy to him. 

He departed this life on the 6th day of the Third 
Month, 1741, and was buried on the 8th of the same, 
at Friends burying-ground at Eaglesfield, in the 
county of Cumberland. 



Richard Eakrett, Printer, 13, Mark Lane, London. 



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